The mighty Mustangs have fallen.
The Mount Vernon varsity volleyball team were eliminated by the Assumption Knights in the semifinals of the Class 3A state tournament Wednesday, Nov. 2.
The team, in its first day of its short residency in Coralville’s Xtream Arena, first fended off the Unity Christian Knights in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
With the loss to Assumption, the Mustangs finished the 2022-23 season with a record of 35-6.
“This 2023 team is tremendously difficult for me to say goodbye to,” said Mount Vernon head coach Maggie Willems.
“The way they generally cared for each other, and the joy they played with was magical.”
“This group was highly skilled, deeply invested, and made an outstanding run this season. We will deeply miss our seniors. I’m so grateful for this team,” Willems said.
However, Willems remains hopeful for next year.
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Class 3A quarterfinal
Mount Vernon vs. Unity Christian
25-17, 25-17, 25-15
Mount Vernon
Assists | Madeleine Miller, SR AST 30 PER 10.0
Kills | Chloe Meester, SO KLS 5.7 PCT 34.2% PTS 6.0
Total Blocks | Kyla Vaughn, SR BLK 6 PER 2.0
Digs | Kameron Brand, SR DIG 17 PER 5.7
Serve Aces | Kameron Brand, SR ACE 0.7 ATT 7.0 PCT 0.8
Unity Christian
Assists | Paige De Boom, SR AST 13 PER 4.3
Kills | Gracie Schoonhoven, SR KLS 3.0 PCT 17.6% PTS 3.3
Total Blocks | Haley Kuperus, JR BLK 5 PER 1.7
Digs | Gracie Schoonhoven, SR DIG 11 PER 3.7
Serve Aces | Gracie Schoonhoven, SR ACE 0.3 ATT 3.7 PCT 1.0
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Class 3A semifinal
Mount Vernon vs. Assumption Knights
19-25, 26-28, 20-25
Mount Vernon
Assists | Madeleine Miller, SR AST 23 PER 7.7
Kills | Chloe Meester, SO KLS 5.0 PCT 22.9% PTS 5.3
Total Blocks | Emma Meester, SR BLK 2 PER 0.7
Digs | Madeleine Miller, SR DIG 11 PER 3.7
Serve Aces | Brooke Ellyson, JR ACE 0.7 ATT 6.7 PCT 0.9
“Brooke Ellyson, Chloe Meester, Jaden Rolland and Eryn Jackson will all be experienced and ready to lead,” she predicted.
Mustangs fall in semifinals
November 10, 2022
–Courtesy photo Mike Cranston
Kameron Brand prepares to serve the ball at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday, Nov. 1, at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
