Mandarin- Coming into the game, the undefeated Mandarin Mustangs Volleyball team (8-0) knew this would be their toughest test of the season. The Mustangs faced the Bartram Bears (4-2), a traditional powerhouse in the area and a team that defeated them in the playoffs last year. This year, seniors Ellie Jackson, and Taylor Boyd had their team ready but it wouldn’t be easy on this Tuesday night.
Bartram would score the first points of the game, setting the tone for what was to come in the game. Junior 6’0 , OH/RS Jenna Otts scored her first of 16 kills on the evening. However, Mandarin would respond.
Sophomore Paola Aviles-Morales of Mandarin, kept the Mustangs in the lead with a very nice play increasing their lead to 5-2 in the first.
Senior Taylor Boyd then stepped up, registering one of her ferocious spikes. She finished with 11 kills on the evening. Mandarin fell behind thanks to senior Lauren Marien (17 kills) of Bartram, who used her athletic ability and frame to attack the ball quickly. Her speed put Bartram up in the contest and her teammates Jenna Otts and Abby Minor sealed the deal with a block to take the set 25-22 .
Bartram built an 11-6 lead and kept scoring at will seemingly. However Mandarin’s coach, Daniel Magnusson made adjustments bringing in players like senior Grace Hollis (24 assists) who provided great hustle on the court. Mandarin scored five unanswered points to tie the game at 16-16. Boyd and Alani Salas- Garcia kept the pressure on and never looked back, guiding Mandarin to the win in set one 25-19 in set two. .
Mandarin would win set three taking a 2-1 lead. Sophomore Paola Aviles-Morales was a force in the middle with 3 blocks for the Mustangs. However Bartram would not go away, winning set four thanks to Morgan Langley’s 22 digs in the game to force a 5th set. The first to 15 would win and both teams came hot.
Bartram built a small lead as sophomore Taylor Teaman (4 aces), sophomore Lainie Stapelton (5 blocks) and Sydney Lewis 25 digs played their hearts out.
Yet it was the play of senior Ellie Jackson down the stretch that willed her team to victory. Over and over she would be called upon to finish the game and she did, scoring 30 digs in the game and 20 kills. Her back to back kills all but finished off Bartram as the Mandarin would win the set 15-10 and the match 3-2 to improve to 9-0. Bartram would fall to 4-3 on the season.
With wins over Ridgeview, Fletcher, and Menendez, Mandarin has faced some very tough opponents locally in Northeast Florida. However, the second half of their scheduled sees Masters Academy at a neutral site and teams like Christ’s Church who went deep into the playoff last year. Yet Mandarin seems ready for the task as they continue to get the best of opponents and add to their unblemished record.
