Mount Vernon dominates at the net, sweeps Unity Christian in state volleyball quarterfinals

CORALVILLE — Mount Vernon's approach to volleyball is simple.

“We don't have anything to prove,” said Mustangs Coach Maggie Willems. “We just need to come out and play Mustang volleyball like we have all year. Our track record and resume is awfully good and we trust in that confidence.”

That philosophy worked well in Tuesday's Class 3A state quarterfinal matchup with No. 6 Unity Christian.

The third-ranked Mustangs used dominant net play to frustrate the Knights en route to a 25-17, 25-17, 25-15 victory at Xtream Arena.

Mount Vernon (35-5), at state for a fifth straight season, will meet another perennial 3A power, No. 2 Davenport Assumption, in what should be a highly-competitive semifinal match at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Assumption advanced with a four-set win over Osage.

Unity Christian, in the state tournament for the ninth consecutive year, retires at 23-10.

Much of Mount Vernon's success on Tuesday could be credited to the play of sophomore Chloe Meester. The 6-foot-2 middle hitter had 17 kills and six blocks. Her presence was a big reason Unity Christian hit at a -.010 as a team.

“We really blocked their best hitters well,” Meester said. “We sided out really well and I could sense their frustration because they were looking at each other wondering what to do.”

Willems knew the Mustangs would need to be at their best against Unity Christian's tall hitters.

“We wanted to make sure we gave ourselves an advantage at the net,” she said. “We tried to control that with our serving and we did that, keeping them out of system for the most part.”

Kameron Brand was especially effective. She had 21 serves in the match with two aces.

“That allowed us to attack fast so we could work around that block,” Willems said. “We turned it into a little Swiss cheese with a fast offense to create those 1-on-1s.”

The semifinal matchup with Assumption has been on Mount Vernon's radar for a long time. The Knights bested the Mustangs, 2-0, in an early-season tournament.

“I expect that match to have both sides going back and forth a lot,” Meester said. “We're not going to go on a lot of runs. They will side out fast and so will we.”

Willems echoed those thoughts.

“We've anticipated this (match) all year,” she said. “I know they are going to be ready and our kids are going to be ready. It should be a great volleyball match.”