Mount Vernon can’t finish chances in state volleyball loss to Davenport Assumption

CORALVILLE — Mount Vernon had its chances.

Capitalizing on them was a different story. When it tried, Davenport Assumption seemed to have an answer.

Second-ranked Assumption received 16 kills from Maggie Johnson and 13 more from Ava Schubert, sweeping No. 3 Mount Vernon, 25-19, 28-26, 25-20, in the Class 3A state semifinals Wednesday afternoon at Xtream Arena.

The Knights (32-7) have a shot at their first state volleyball title, facing No. 4 Sioux Center (32-3) in the final at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

“The emotions are going crazy in my head,” Schubert said. “Our team is super excited.”

Mount Vernon (35-6) jumped to an early advantage, doubling up Assumption to start the first set, 6-3, thanks to consecutive kills from Chloe and Emma Meester, who led the Mustangs with 15 and nine kills, respectively.

Assumption took control, winning 10 of the next 12 points and six of the last nine to close the first set.

“We had plenty of opportunities to win, especially the first and second sets,” Mount Vernon Coach Maggie Willems said. “We weren’t able to finish.”

The fulcrum in the match came in the second set. The Mustangs led most of the set, building a 14-8 lead. After a timeout, Assumption began to chip away. Mount Vernon remained in good position to even the match with a 23-19 lead. Assumption posted a four-point run to tie it 23-23.

“I think we played well,” Mount Vernon’s Madeleine Miller said. “Assumption is really good. They played a very good match.

“We weren’t able to keep up with them at some points.”

The teams exchanged points and set points. Kills from Kyla Vaughn and Emma Meester gave Mount Vernon its last set point at 26-25. Schubert and Johnson produced well-timed kills and Maddie Dobbels closed the set with an ace.

“We just didn’t get it done,” Willems said. “Set 2 was the difference in the match. We win that and it could be a different conversation we are having now.”

Mount Vernon built leads of 8-5 and 10-6, but the Knights rallied again. This time it was a 10-2 run and Assumption never trailed again.

“I’m really proud with how everybody stepped up,” Mustangs senior Kameron Brand said. “I think we had a really good season. Last game isn’t how we wanted to end it. We played a really good match. We just couldn’t find a way to close.”

Miller led the Mustangs with 23 assists and Kameron Brand had a team-high 20 digs.

Mount Vernon made its 17th straight state appearance and fifth in a row. It was runner-up in 2020 and won in 2019, but fell a victory shy of another finals appearance.

“It’s been awesome. It’s probably been one of my favorite teams to be a part of,” Brand said. “Everybody plays for each other. We don’t have any selfishness or anyone playing for themselves.

“One thing we’ve been talking about is playing for everybody around you. I think we really embodied that, even until the end.”

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