Volleyball Snags Another Five-Set Victory

CRETE, Neb. – The Doane Tigers showed resilience and grit on Saturday evening, rallying from two sets down to knock off Morningside (Iowa) in a thrilling five-set battle (21-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 15-8) at Haddix Center. The victory pushes Doane to 10-9 overall and 2-4 in the GPAC, while the Mustangs, who are receiving votes in the latest NAIA national poll, fall to 9-7 and 3-3 in conference play.

Early Setbacks

Morningside came out strong, capitalizing on Doane's miscues in the opening two sets. Despite flashes from Brooke Larsen and Natalie Wood on the attack, the Tigers struggled to string together points against the Mustangs' balanced front line. Morningside's blocking presence and timely kills from Emma Haren and Adelyn Harris put Doane in a daunting 0-2 hole.

Momentum Shift in Set Three

Facing elimination, the Tigers clawed their way back in the third set. Larsen ignited the offense with timely kills, while setter Camdyn Carpenter spread the ball effectively to keep Morningside off balance. A late rally sealed the 25-23 win, sparking energy across the Doane bench and crowd.

Tigers Take Control

With momentum on their side, Doane delivered its most dominant set of the night in the fourth. Wood and Larsen continued to pound away, combining for several key points, while the defense, anchored by libero Kaylee Rammell's 30 digs, stifled the Mustangs' rhythm. The Tigers' .353 hitting percentage in the frame showcased their efficiency as they cruised to a 25-18 win, evening the match at 2-2.

Finishing the Job

In the decisive fifth set, Doane never looked back after grabbing an early lead. The Tigers' front line—led by key kills from Jade Ridgway and Hilary Hupp along with clutch points from Larsen—kept Morningside on its heels. Carpenter directed the attack with precision, finishing with 56 assists, while the defense closed the door with scrappy play. A 15-8 victory completed the reverse sweep and sealed one of Doane's most impressive wins of the season. The Tigers improved to 4-1 in five-set matches.

By the Numbers

• Brooke Larsen led all players with 22 kills and added 14 digs for a double-double.

• Natalie Wood hammered down 21 kills on a .300 hitting clip.

• Camdyn Carpenter dished out 56 assists and chipped in 16 digs.

• Kaylee Rammell anchored the back row with 30 digs.

• As a team, Doane tallied 66 kills and 93 digs, while hitting .191 overall.

Morningside finished with 57 kills and 84 digs but hit just .163 as the Tigers' defense tightened over the final three sets.

Up Next

The Tigers return to action Tuesday, September 30, when they travel to face Kansas Wesleyan in Salina, Kan. First serve is set for 7 p.m.