FORTVILLE — The match had all the requirements for an early-season classic.
Unbeaten neighboring rivals.
Two of the state’s best outside hitters.
The Hoosier Heritage Conference opener for both squads.
A pair of lively student sections.
Last Thursday’s volleyball showdown between Pendleton Heights and host Mt. Vernon had all the pregame components.
After four sets, the Marauders proved to have all the in-game components for a convincing victory.
Mt. Vernon improved to 10-0 overall with a 3-1 win. Pendleton Heights dropped to 5-1.
The set scores were 25-13, 21-25, 25-18, 25-18.
The Marauders were led by Southern Illinois University-bound outside hitter Cecilia Bulmahn, who had 31 kills. The Arabians big hitter, Avery Ross, who is headed to Oakland University, had 23 kills.
The Marauders appeared on their way to a quick night. After dominating the first set, aided by an 11-2 run, they got off to a similar start in the second.
Tied at 7, Mt. Vernon scored 11 of the next 15 points to take an 18-11 advantage.
Ross helped bring her team back. She had six kills, the first started her team’s rally at 18-12.
The Arabians were also aided by a pair of aces from Ava Kate Phillips. They came on back-to-back serves. The first tied the set at 21-21 and the second gave the Arabians the lead for good, evening the match 1-1.
Tied 13-13 in the third set, Mt. Vernon took control for a 2-1 set lead. The Marauders were in command from the get-go in the fourth set, scoring the first four points.
“I don’t think it was a lack of effort. We were outplayed tonight,” Pendleton Heights coach Blair Barksdale said. “We fought, that wasn’t an issue. They were better than us.
“This was an especially big match for us because (Pendleton Heights) is also a really good team,” Marauder Cecilia Bulmahn said. “We were looking forward to this match. (Pendleton Heights) played really well, but I’m really proud how we came back with some fire.”
Mt. Vernon head coach Eric Bulmahn said his team’s strong serving was crucial in beating the Arabians, helping keep the visitors out of rhythm on offense.
“I think the difference came down to our serving pressure,” coach Bulmahn said. “We were serving bullets. When we’re focused we can put those serves in. When we lose focus is when we start missing them.”
“In serve receive, we just didn’t pass the ball as well as we needed to,” Barksdale said. “We weren’t able to get our middles and our first tempo offense going like we like.
“They served well, placed the ball well, and we just didn’t pass the ball well either.”
Tournament title
Pendleton Heights bounced back quickly with a busy and successful day at the Huntington North Invitational on Saturday.
The Arabians picked up four victories, upping their record to 9-1, prior to their scheduled match Tuesday at Madison County rival Lapel.
On Saturday, Pendleton Heights beat Northridge, Alexandria and Clinton Prairie by 2-0 scores and Heritage by a 2-1 count.
The 2-0 win over Clinton Prairie was in the championship game. PH won by set scores of 25-9, 25-13 in the finale.