Working out the kinks

Four games, two rivals and some great volleyball were the ingredients of the Mount Vernon versus Solon match on Sept. 4.

With Solon ranked No. 1 and Mount Vernon No. 2 in Class 3A, this game was crucial on both sides of the net.

Solon protected its ranking by winning three of the four games. Although the Mustangs started off strong with a quick lead, it was short-lived once the Spartans got into the groove of the game, resulting in their first win of the night, 25-19.

'As a whole we played well in the first game keeping our intensity up, but as the games continued our communication died,” said Mount Vernon junior Regan Kelley.

During the second game, Mount Vernon put up a fight, but the final score was 25-13 in Solon's favor.

After a quick break, the rivals returned to the court with new hope and intensity for the third match. As the game progressed, the crowd's intensity became overpowering, roaring at every point. The Mustangs gained an early lead of 15-9 at the first timeout, and later sealed the win with a kill by Emma Cochrane, ending the match 25-23.

In the fourth and final game, Solon and Mount Vernon entered with confidence and focus. Once again Mount Vernon took the early lead, but as the game progressed the Mustangs' chemistry and communication evaporated, resulting in a defeat.

Solon triumphantly took the lead and finished the game, 25-15.

'We have room for improvement,” Mount Vernon senior Abby Gross said. 'It is the beginning of the season, but we still have some kinks we need to work out.”