All the furtive, start-stop play of the pre-district was replaced by heart-stopping action as the Lady Jackets won their district opener against Mount Vernon last Tuesday. Mineola earned the five set (22-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-19, 16-14) victory with hustle, power and composure.

The two teams were evenly matched; however it was the visiting Lady Tigers who first got their offense untracked. Using their attack from the left wing, Mount Vernon put together a seven-point run to secure game one. The Lady Jackets challenged late behind a kill from Mylee Fischer and a Brittany Pickle ace, but it was not enough.

Even play left game two knotted at 10 each. After a series of mis-hits by both teams it was an emphatic kill by Pickle which rattled the Lady Tigers. Late-game scoring from Tahjae Black and Valerie Garcia gave the Lady Jackets the edge. Garcia ended game two with an ace.

The fortunes of games three and four changed like the tides. The momentum came and went for both teams. Coach TaShara Stephens implored her side, “You gotta fight!”  

Steady and smart play by Mylee Fischer combined with the power of Pickle and timely work from Garcia kept both games close. Mount Vernon took game three and Mineola game four.

The Lady Jackets never trailed in game five. Mineola retained a slight lead for the duration of the game. It was a hustle and composure score which won the match. A one-handed stab at a tough ball after a close exchange at the net was returned at a very odd angle. Mount Vernon believed the ball to be out, but it squarely impacted just inside the line for the match-winning point.

Pickle had an outstanding match. She totaled 25 kills and contributed 25 digs as well. Alyssa Lankford offered up 18 assists on a good night for the entire Mineola backline. 

It was a great district start for the Lady Jackets.