By Chad Hayworth (for OzarksSportsZone.com)
MT. VERNON – Bridgett Schmutz had a good feeling Saturday morning about her team’s chances in the state quarterfinals.
Turns out, she was right.
The Lady Mountaineers (25-7-2) turned back the visiting Sullivan Lady Eagles 3-0 and secured a spot in the Class 3 volleyball Final Four next weekend in St. Joseph.
“Sometimes, as a coach, you just get a feeling,” she said. “Like I’ll be standing back there, calling a serve and you just know that serve is going in the net, or out of bounds.
“So when I woke up this morning, I just knew this team had what it took to get it done today.”
On film, Sullivan and Mt. Vernon were very similar, Schmutz said. Both have strong middle defense and big hitters to the outside.
“We match up,” she said. “We both do a lot of the same things. I just think our girls were primed and ready.”
The teams were tied at five in game one, before Mt. Vernon ran off four-straight. The teams traded three-point runs back and forth, with Sullivan unable to get closer than a three-point deficit, until a late run cut the Mt. Vernon lead to 19-18.
But the Lady Mountaineers rattled off six-straight to take the game 25-18.
An early Sullivan lead in game two evaporated with a four-point run giving Mt. Vernon a 9-8 lead. Mt. Vernon seemed on the verge of taking a 2-0 lead in the match, leading 24-23. But three-straight Lady Eagle points had them just one point from a win before Mt. Vernon responded with three of their own for a 27-25 win.
As the match wore on, senior outside hitter Camryn Cornell and junior setter/hitter Ziah Schmutz seemed to continuously turn up the pressure on the Lady Eagles, both with power and precision.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE MATCH
“I would argue they are one of the best setter-hitter combinations in the state, and in Class 3 for sure,” Coach Schmutz said. “Cam does a great job of listening to her teammates, and they just trust each other.”
Sullivan jumped out to a 6-2 lead in game three. Mt. Vernon battled back, taking a two-point lead at 13-11. Sullivan would not give in, tying the game at 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, before taking a 25-24 lead.
Mt. Vernon closed out the match with three-straight points, taking a 27-25 win in the final frame.
Schmutz pointed out the performance of sophomore hitter Kelsey Richards, who moved into the role after an-early season injury left a hole in the line-up.
“Tonight, she went and got a couple of blocks,” Schmutz said. “It’s a testament to this team leaning on each other and believing in one another.”
Defensive presence from Ziah Schmutz and senior libero Averee Swillum made a difference on Saturday, their coach said.
The victory is a continuation of the journey the Lady Mountaineers started on four seasons ago, Schmutz said.
“Four years ago, we lost in the district championship to Seneca,” she said. “The next year, we won the district. Last year we won the sectional game, but lost in the quarters. These girls have chipped away, every game, every season, and been relentless in pursuing all the things I’ve asked them to do.”
Mt. Vernon has never finished higher than a state quarterfinalist, Schmutz said, looking to the gymnasium wall where past teams’ success are displayed for all to see.
“We’ve had a lot milestones set this year,” she said. “A thousand kills, a thousand digs, a thousand aces, so on and so forth. And the post-season accolades will come. But we talk a lot about the only thing people will see is what’s up on that wall. That’s what your legacy will be.”
Mt. Vernon will face Saxony Lutheran (18-19) at 2 p.m. Friday at Civic Arena in downtown St. Joseph.
