JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Mandarin Mustangs (11-9) handled business at home against the Nease Panthers (5-13) beating them 3-0 to earn a trip to the regional semifinals. This is the Mustangs first appearance to the second round since the year 2000.
The Mustangs got off to a slow start and found themselves trailing Nease after the opening serve. Off of a Nease serve, the Mustangs sophomore Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist, Alani Salas- Garcia sent a fast ball over the net.
The Panthers were able to recover and send the ball flying off their side but junior Middle Blocker, Jadyn Gamble met the Panthers at the net and blocked the ball back over to the Panthers. Both teams went back and forth with players diving for the ball on both sides until Salas-Garcia finally dropped the ball off on the Panthers side to bring the Mustangs deficit to one, 3-2.
The Mustangs began to heat up. Seeing junior Outside Hitter, Ellie Jackson score three consecutive points for her team to give the Mustangs a lead of 12-11.
The set ended with sophomore Setter/Defensive Specialist, Mia Watson gathering an ace. Set one score: 25-19 Mustangs.
In set two the Mustangs received an ace from Jackson to put the team up 3-1 early. Later on in set two, the Panthers began to make a run thanks to senior Outside Hitter, Nicole Klucharich who brought the Panthers within two of the Mustangs, 14-12.
But the Panthers efforts were not enough as the Mustangs closed out set two with a kill from Jackson. Score for set two, 25-20 Mustangs.
The third and final set saw an ace early on from junior Libero, Emma Dailey to put the Mustangs up 5-2. Then, freshman Middle Blocker Kylie Spraggins blocked the ball back over the net to put the Mustangs up 12-5.
During the latter part of set three, the Mustangs began to let to the Panthers rattle home some points. Sophomore Setter Abby Beringer, served up an ace to get her team fired up and bring the score to 16-10 with the Mustangs still leading.
The set ended at the hands of Jackson, once again, with her soaring high above the net to get her final kill of the night and the Mustangs the win with a score 25-17.
Mandarin’s stat leaders for the night were Jackson leading in kills and digs with 15 and 14 respectively. Watson led with 17 assists, Dailey had 4 aces, and Spraggins with 4 blocks.
Catch the Mandarin Mustangs in action next Wednesday. They will hop on the road to face the Bartram Trail Bears (13-7). The Bears defeated the Sandalwood Saints (8-11), at home, 3-0. The action begins at 7 pm.
