Mount Vernon rolls against Williamsburg

MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon set the tone early on in its regional semifinal match Tuesday night against Williamsburg.

In fact, a few select Mustang volleyball players started before the match, belting out the national anthem. Typically, members of the choir join in, but the volleyball team tackled the number alone before the game.

The Mustangs kept in key when the game started, as No. 5 Mount Vernon (32-7) rolled over the Raiders (17-19) in straight sets, 25-21, 25-12, 25-18.

'Williamsburg has been playing great lately,' Mount Vernon head coach Maggie Willems said. 'They won out consolation bracket in the Wamac, which is no easy feat.

'So, we were certainly anticipating a challenging match.'

The Mustangs looked in control early in the first game, building a 17-12 lead. The Raiders fought back, cutting the Mount Vernon lead to 23-20. A string of Mustang errors, an ace serve from Molly Wetjen, and a kill by Micki Stallman got Williamsburg right back into it.

'We made a few little defensive adjustments that we were really able to benefit from,' Willems said. 'They helped us in games 2 and 3, as well.

Katie Wycoff and Catherine Yeoman finished off the Raiders with a pair of kills, and the Mustangs won game 1, 25-21.

'I think it was a good win for us,' Wycoff said. 'They played their hearts out and so did we.'

Williamsburg hung around in game 2, and a Brittni Gilbert kill cut the Mustang lead to 12-10. A Kaitlyn Volesky kill sparked a Mustang turnaround, and Mount Vernon went on to claim 11 of the next 13 points to take a commanding 20-13 lead.

'We've been working on playing as a team and talking more,' Wycoff said.

'I think we did that tonight. We communicated well and worked together.'

The Mustangs dispatched the Raiders in the third set, 25-18 to advance to the regional final Monday. Overall, Willems is confident in her team going in to the next round.

'There are some small nuances that need to be worked on,' said Willems. 'But they are an experienced group of kids and they are willing to do whatever they need to do to get ready for the next round.'