Mustangs can't duplicate magic

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The Mustangs' mojo just wasn't the same.

Third-ranked Carroll Kuemper jumped all over No. 8 Mount Vernon from the start, and didn't allow the Mustangs to get much traction throughout. The Knights swept the Mustangs, 25-10, 25-23, 25-17, in a Class 3A semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Thursday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

"We got off to a rough start in the first game, and that really shook our confidence," said Mustangs Coach Maggie Willems. "You could see our youth a little today, but we fought."

Kuemper (28-4) moves into its first title match, 2 p.m. Friday against No. 1 MOC-Floyd Valley. The defending-champion Dutch (34-6) swept No. 4 Union.

"Getting to the finals, we've talked about that constantly the last three years," said Kuemper setter Morgan Naberhaus. "We really moved on the court well as a team today."

Mount Vernon reached the semifinals for the second straight year, and retired at 26-11. The Mustangs weren't at the same level they enjoyed Wednesday, when they swept No. 2 Sheldon.

"Yesterday, that was great," said Mustangs setter Morgan Melchert. "We didn't perform the way we wanted today, but Kuemper was tough. I would love another shot at them."

The Mustangs didn't make it easy on themselves, committing 25 attack errors to neutralize their 25 kills.

Kuemper ran roughshod through the opener, then held on in Game 2.

Mount Vernon took its lone lead of the set, 16-15, on Claire Pettinger's ace. But the Knights scored the next four points for a 19-16 advantage.

Kuemper led 24-20 and had four set points. It needed them all before putting it away.

Mount Vernon led the finale 8-5 before Kuemper Coach Keith Stickrod took his second timeout of the set. It seemed an odd time, but it worked.

"I just tried to change the momentum a little, hoping for an error on the serve or something like that," Stickrod said. "That's what we got."

Kuemper outscored the Mustangs 20-9 from that point on, including a six-point run that put the Knights in front for good, 15-11.

Claire Ludwig led the Knights with 15 kills, and Naberhaus posted 32 assists.

Freshman Kaitlyn Volesky paced the Mustangs with seven kills. Hannah Whitley -- the lone active senior on the roster -- added six. So did Emma Cochrane.

Melchert had 22 assists.