(Peru, Neb.) – The visiting Mustangs of Mount Mercy (Iowa) came into the Al Wheeler Activity Center with some fire and that led them to a win over the Peru State Bobcat volleyball team. It took five sets, but the Mustangs prevailed 25-19, 23-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-12.
 
It was the first Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) win ever for Mount Mercy who improved to 14-4 overall and 1-0 in the Heart. For the 'Cats, they fell to 22-4 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
 
First Set Action
 
Mount Mercy started with a kill to score the first point before two Mustang attack errors and a double-block by Nadja Janjevic (Podgorica, Montenegro) and Jhessica Martins (Uberlandia, Brazil) gave the 'Cats a 3-1 lead. The Mustangs kept it close and were within two at 15-13 before Peru State would increase their lead to 21-14 which came on a service ace by Kira Shapiro (Omaha). Mount Mercy would make a late run, but a Yorgelys Jaspe (San Carlos, Venezuela) kill on an assist from Brooke Rudebusch (Moorpark, Calif.) gave the 'Cats the final set point.

 
Second Set Action
 
For the early part of the second set, Mount Mercy controlled it. The Bobcats came back to tie it at 13-13 on a Martins kills on an assist from Gianna Gangi (Simi Valley, Calif.). The teams battled back and forth and later were tied at 17-17 before Shapiro got a kill on an assist from Rudebusch. Back-to-back service aces by Gangi increased Peru State's lead to 20-17 and it looked like the 'Cats had things in hand. However, the Mustangs were not done. Mount Mercy outscored the Bobcats 8-5 over the last 13 rallies to come back for the 25-23 second set win.
 
Third Set Action
 
Peru State never trailed in the third set although it was tied on five different occasions early in the set. After the 7-7 tie was broken by a kill from Alex Bowman (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) off an assist from Rudebusch, the Bobcats went on for a 25-21 win. A Shapiro/Rudebusch combination scored the final point.
 
Fourth Set Action
 
The fourth set saw nine ties with Peru State leading most of the time until the 16-16 mark. Mount Mercy went out to an 18-16 lead before the 'Cats tied it at 18-18. After that point, the Mustangs slowly pulled away for the 25-22 win to force a fifth and deciding set.
 
Fifth Set Action
 
Mount Mercy scored the first three points of the deciding set and never trailed and the Bobcats never could tie it up. Peru State was close several times including late trailing at 12-11, but the Mustangs would respond. Mount Mercy went on for the 15-12 set win and match win.

MOUNT MERCY GAME BOOK
 
Statistics
 
Mount Mercy won the match despite being out-hit by the Bobcats .248 to .212, but they had 69 kills to just 56 for the 'Cats.
 
Jaspe led Peru State with 16 kills while hitting .353. Janjevic added 13 and hit .476 in the middle while Shapiro finished in double digits with 11 kills. Martins added seven kills.
 
Rudebusch led the 'Cats with 36 assists while Meg Grose (Peoria, Ariz.) added nine.
 
Gangi led the team with two service aces while Rudebusch and Shapiro each finished with one.
 
Cristina Viera (Montevideo, Uruguay) led the Bobcats' defense with 18 digs while Rudebusch finished with a double-double as she added 11. Jaspe just missed a double-double as she had nine digs.
 
Bowman was tough at the net as she had six solo and three block assists – her best blocking effort in a Bobcat uniform. Janjevic added one solo block and four block assists. Shapiro added four block assists while Martins finished with two block assists.
 
Upcoming Matches
 
Peru State is back at it Saturday night as they host Clarke University following the football game at approximately 5 p.m. The Crusaders, the other newcomer to the Heart, opened their conference play last night with a sweep over Benedictine in Atchison, Kan. Clarke is 15-4 on the year and are 1-0 in the Heart.
 
The Bobcats will have two home games next week. On Tuesday, Avila University will visit the confines of the Al Wheeler Activity Center at 7 p.m. Overall, the Eagles are 9-10 on the year and are 0-4 in conference play which included a five-set loss to Culver-Stockton (Mo.).
 
Then, on Thursday, Peru State will host Evangel University. Presently, the Crusaders are 15-7 overall and are 3-1 in the Heart. Game time is noon as it is Middle School Appreciation Day.