Mount Vernon gets back at Assumption, reaches the 3A state volleyball championship match

CORALVILLE — There’s prepared. And there’s overprepared.

Maggie Willems accused the younger version of herself of the latter.

“Sometimes you question yourself as a coach,” said Willems, leader of the Mount Vernon volleyball program. “I did change some things this year, focusing more on our side of the net.”

The former routine, according to Chloe Meester, was “film, scout, practice.”

And now?

“We don’t spend hours watching film any more,” Meester said. “We focus more on what we need to do to make ourselves better.”

Let everybody else wonder and worry about the Mustangs might do next.

Top-ranked Mount Vernon spotted No. 4 Davenport Assumption the first set, then roared back to win Wednesday’s Class 3A state semifinal in four (23-25, 25-16, 25-15, 25-20) at Xtream Arena.

The outcome reversed last year’s semifinal loss to Assumption, which went on to win the state championship.

“This means a lot,” Brooke Ellyson said. “This win was a goal of ours. Now we have one step left.”

Mount Vernon (35-4) will face No. 3 Western Christian (31-13) — a straight-set winner over No. 8 Union Community — in the 3A final at 2:30 Thursday afternoon.

It will be a matchup of two of the state’s most storied programs. Western Christian has won 18 state titles, including the 2A crown last year. Mount Vernon has four championship trophies in its case, from 1984, 2009, 2010 and 2019.

“We really have nothing to lose,” Ellyson said. “This is one more chance for everyone to fight for their teammates.”

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Ellyson was one of three Mustangs to join Willems to the press room.

When they smiled — and why wouldn’t they? — each was sporting something sparkly called a “tooth gem.”

What in the world?

“It goes with our motto,” Ellyson said. “Shine bright like a diamond.”

Rumor has it that Willems will apply some bling to one of her chompers for the championship match, too.

After dropping Game 1, the Mustangs countered quickly. They led 5-1, 7-2 and 12-4 in the second set. Then, after Assumption worked within 13-11, they zoomed away again.

Mount Vernon didn’t trail in Game 3. With the issue still somewhat in doubt at 12-9, Eryn Jackson served three aces in a six-point run to bust it open.

After a 6-6 deadlock in the fourth set, the Mustangs led the rest of the way. Meester’s block was the final dagger.

Huber was a reserve on Cedar Rapids Xavier’s 4A championship team last year. It didn’t take long after her transfer to learn how bad her new teammates wanted another crack at the Knights, who retired 28-8.

“Really bad,” said Huber, who distributed 42 assists. “We all wanted it.”

The only starting senior, Ellyson added 12 kills and a team-high 13 digs. Paige Schurbon supplied eight kills.

Ellah Derrer had 11 kills to lead a balanced Assumption squad.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com