LA CYGNE — The Iola Mustangs swept their end of the Prairie View Quad Tuesday with victories over the host Buffalos and rival Anderson County.
With both matches going all three sets, the Mustangs emerged the victor in a pair of slugfests, improving their record to 4-2 in the Pioneer League.
“They easily could have laid down having lost a set in both matches, but they rallied around themselves and wanted to win,” Iola coach Lauren Moots said. “That’s good to see because that fight will only get them further in the league, and I know it’s a tough one. The biggest testament to this group is instead of beating themselves up, they shake it off and come back stronger.”
The Mustangs secured the sweep after taking the final two sets against Prairie View in the finale. A spike by senior outside hitter Dally Curry sent the opener into extra points, but a pair of Iola mistakes allowed Prairie View to take it, 26-24. Iola rallied from a 3-point deficit to take the second set. Trailing 16-13, a block by senior middle hitter Zoie Hesse set off an 11-4 run.
“We wanted it more, and we started to realize that,” sophomore outside hitter Haidyn Desmarteau said. “In the past, we haven’t wanted it more than the other teams. To get our first sweep of the season feels great.”
A tip and a spike by Desmarteau, as well as several Prairie View errors, closed the gap
A push by Curry pulled the Mustangs within two of match point, but the Buffalos did themselves in with a pair of errors to give Iola a 25-22 win. Iola raced out to a 3-0 start in the third set and never looked back, pouring on the points from there to wrap up the set, 25-14.
The Mustangs needed a third set and a bit more to finally subdue the Anderson County Bulldogs in the opener. After taking the first set, 25-18, the Mustangs lost their momentum in the second and the Bulldogs evening the match at 1-1 with a 25-22 victory. Both teams went blow-for-blow in the third, but Iola emerged victorious again—this time in extra points, 27-25.
“It feels good to know we can come back and win,” Curry said. “To know we can overcome that and get in their heads, it shows how much we’ve grown. We learn from our mistakes.”
What’s next?
With the wins, the Mustangs improved their overall record to 10-11. They hope to get above .500 Thursday when they step away from the Pioneer League for a triangular against host Eureka and Fredonia. First serve is at 5 p.m.
