Motivated Mount Vernon has eyes on finals

CEDAR RAPIDS – No. 1 Mount Vernon is not talking about its top ranking, nor the accompanying target on its back. What the Mustangs are talking about is what it will take to bust through the semifinal round of the state volleyball tournament, something they haven't been able to do the past couple of years.

Mount Vernon posted comfortable wins in Games 1 and 2, then held off a late charge by No. 11 Union Community in Game 3 and advanced to Thursday's Class 3A semifinal with a sweep, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21, last night at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'It's tough to win a match at the state tournament in three games,” Mount Vernon Coach Maggie Willems said. 'I thought that we played a pretty focused match, error-free match and were able to be in system and have the offensive choices that we were looking for.”

No. 1 Mount Vernon (32-7) will face the winner of today's Red Oak (33-7) and Sioux Center (31-8) match in the 3A semifinal Thursday at noon.

'We are really, really motivated this year,” Mount Vernon senior Emma Cochrane said. 'We are dead-set on getting through this semifinal. This was a great game to get that momentum and take it into this next game.”

The Mustangs plan to scout their opponent in person at 10 a.m. today, and while they'll enjoy the extra day of rest, the uncertainty of the opponent nearly negates any advantage.

'We'll get a chance to watch our two opponents and get an idea of what we can do against them,” senior Morgan Melchert said.

Melchert tallied 32 assists and eight digs. Cochrane led the Mustangs with 15 kills, while sophomore Kaitlyn Volesky added 10.

'I thought we served great,” Willems said. 'We were able to limit their options and our block picked up at critical times for us. We were able to get some great swings.”

While Mount Vernon doesn't overwhelm you with the size and power it had maybe five years ago, the Mustangs are replete with smart, talented players who know their positions and don't hurt themselves with unforced errors.

Five Mustangs chipped in with at least five kills, led by sophomore Sydney Meeker with nine. Wynne Vanderall added six, while Grace Pettinger and Libby Ryan totaled five.

'I think we're feeling really comfortable,” Cochrane said. 'Part of it is we're so close as a team. Part of that is we just feel comfortable playing around each other…We're on a roll right now and things are clicking.”

Union Community ends its season at 24-12.