Waldorf Volleyball Rallies to Defeat Morningside in Four Sets at Home

FOREST CITY, Iowa — October 29, 2025 — The Waldorf University Warrior volleyball team delivered an impressive comeback victory Wednesday night at Hanson Fieldhouse, taking down the Morningside Mustangs in four sets (16-25, 29-27, 25-21, 25-22).

The Warriors got off to a slow start in the opening set, struggling to find rhythm against Morningside's aggressive offense and falling 25-16. But Waldorf regrouped quickly in the second set, showing resilience and heart. After trailing 16-10, the Warriors clawed their way back to tie the score at 24-24. The two teams traded points until sophomore outside hitter Jalyn Hovenga sealed the set with a decisive kill, giving Waldorf a 29-27 win and tying the match at one set apiece.

Riding that momentum, the Warriors came out strong in the third set, controlling the pace from start to finish. Consistent serving and a balanced attack kept the Mustangs on their heels as Waldorf pulled ahead 2-1 in the match with a 25-21 victory.

In the fourth and final set, the Warriors and Mustangs battled point for point in the early stages. Late in the set, Waldorf's offense found its groove, building a narrow lead they refused to surrender, closing out the match 25-22 and securing the 3-1 win.

The Warriors' offense was firing on all cylinders with standout performances across the board. Emily Soukup led the attack with 14 kills while hitting an efficient .407, while Peyton Klooster followed closely with 12 kills and an impressive .500 hitting percentage. Emily Goodner added 12 kills of her own, and Jalyn Hovenga chipped in 11, hitting .308. At the net, both Soukup and Klooster were dominant defensively, each recording three blocks.

Waldorf's balanced offense was orchestrated by setters Reinya Balderson and Gianna Sifuentes, who each tallied 22 assists. Sifuentes also notched 10 digs, earning her a double-double performance on the night. Defensively, McKenna Marlow anchored the back row with a stellar 32 digs and even contributed six assists. From the service line, Klooster led the way with four aces, followed by Rina Maiava with two and Balderson with one.

The victory marks another strong performance for the Warriors, who continue to show grit and growth as the season progresses.

Next up, Waldorf hits the road to Sioux City, Iowa, where they'll face the Briar Cliff Chargers on Saturday, November 1. JV action begins at 1:30 p.m., with Varsity to follow at 3:00 p.m.