SIOUX CITY, IOWA (VCSU) – The Valley City State volleyball team fell in a five-set contest to Mount Mercy Friday at the Charger Invite despite a strong showing from the Vikings in just its second match of the season. VCSU dropped Friday’s game by final scores of 25-18, 21-25, 25-27, 25-18 and 16-14.

Valley City State falls to 0-2 on the season and looks to bounce back on Saturday at the Charger Invite. Mount Mercy improves to 4-1 overall. Valley City State plays two more games on Saturday with a game against Southwestern at 10 a.m. followed by a match against tournament-host Briar Cliff at 12 p.m.

The Vikings dropped the first set 25-18 after Mount Mercy took a 10-2 run to finish the set. The Vikings rallied back to take the second set 25-21 after taking a 9-3 mid-set run including two kills each from Bailey Nelson and Morgan Freije.

Valley City State then edged Mount Mercy in set three after a match-high 19 kills and just six errors in the set. Down the stretch, the Vikings trailed 23-21 but rallied back with six of the next eight points including three kills from Emma Lucas to finish with the 27-25 win.

Mount Mercy felt the pressure of the match at stake and opened the fourth set with a 16-6 advantage. The Mustangs stayed alive by taking the fourth set 25-18.

Mount Mercy continued its energy into set five with an 8-4 advantage early on, but the Vikings pulled back within a point at 13-12 on a block from Lucas and Danielle Hagler. A Morgan Nelson kill tied the set at 14-14, but Mount Marty finished the match with kills from Kendall McNaull and Maggie Peters.

The Vikings fought hard Friday and tallied 64 kills to Mount Mercy’s 59. The Mustangs held the block advantage 7-6 and a 5-3 edge in service aces.

Emma Lucas led the Viking offense with 17 kills while Bailey Nelson added 15 Friday. Morgan Freije finished with nine kills while Morgan Nelson and Danielle Hagler each chipped in eight. Hagler added 11 digs and a team-best five assisted blocks for VCSU’s defense.

JayCee Richter tallied a game-high 27 digs while Ellie Rush contributed 11 digs and 10 set assists. Sadie Hansen totaled 40 set assists, 16 digs and five kills Friday.

Mount Mercy had three players tally double-figure kills, led by Maggie Peters with 13. Rylie Mussman totaled 24 digs and Hailey Hested finished with 45 set assists Friday.

UP NEXT: VCSU faces Southwestern College on Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by a match against Briar Cliff at 12 p.m. Live coverage will be available here.