Mount Vernon Jackets fall to Northridge in five-set thriller

The Mount Vernon volleyball team is still learning to win early in the season.

The Yellow Jackets had several opportunities Aug. 28 against Northridge, but couldn’t quite close the deal and fell, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 20-25, 18-16.

“We got tight in moments we had the lead. We had the lead a lot in the middle of the sets, even in the fifth one we were up 14-12. You’ve got to be able to finish and not hope for or expect them to make an error to end the match,” said Mount Vernon volleyball coach Ryan Treese.

The Licking County League match was a battle from the word go, with neither team really taking control other than a small lead at various times. Northridge did get off to a 7-1 lead in the first set and had a couple of other four-point leads, but weren’t able to put away the Jackets.

MV had the same opportunities, leading several times by four or five points, including having a 23-21 lead in the third and 14-12 lead in the finale.

“I think sometimes we just need to focus on our side and I think sometimes we wait for them to make a mistake and not for us to make a kill,” said senior libero Audrey Stuller. “This team (Northridge) was good and they swung every single ball. We just need to learn that we can’t play down in those moments, we have to play up.”

The Vikings’ attack game had Mount Vernon on its heels for most of the night, but strong play from the back row kept MV in the match all night long.

Stuller and backrow teammates Emma Wilson, Kylie Compton and Suttyn Caughlan kept digging up Northridge spikes to keep the match going and keep the Jackets in the match. Stuller finished with an astonishing 49 digs, while Compton had 13 and Wilson and Caughlan both had 11.

“We kind of pride ourselves on that, and we have for the last few years, that we’re going to make them earn every single point,” Treese said.

“I think we take a lot of pride in our defense,” Stuller said. “That’s something we practice a lot, and we have a lot of girls that compete to play every single night. I think it really helps our team with momentum and that’s what drives the girls to try. If you have a girl diving on the floor, giving it her all, it’s going to make the setter give it her all and make the hitters give it their all, too.”

The Jackets had some solid play out of their front line as well, as Evie Creech had 14 kills. Mae Wiley added 13 kills and Skylar Graham had 11.