The Mustangs started 4-0 this weekend at St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, North Carolina. None of their matches would have the pressure of a tie-breaking game as the Mustangs would win each match convincingly by a duel score of at least 4-1.
The Mustangs were up early on Friday for an 8 a.m. start against Emmanuel University. Pairs No. 2-5 would come out on top with the No. 1 pair of Sima Kahoussi and Caleigh Bernota dropping a tight three-set contest (21-19, 17-21, 9-15).
No problems were encountered during the second match of the day against Wake Tech Community College, as all five pairs would come out on top with set scores of 2-0.
This was the most dominant win of the weekend as four of the five pairs would not give up more than 20 points throughout the match. The number five pair of Miranda Mueck and Giulia Viglietta impressively allowed only eight points throughout the match, with set scores of 21-3 and 21-5.
Sophomore Nicolette Fuglestad said that getting off to a good start on Friday was crucial in setting the tone for Saturday.
“It being our first official day of matches, I think the success that we were able to achieve on Friday was extremely beneficial in getting us ready for the rest of the weekend,” said Fuglestad, a member of the No. 3 pair with senior Taylor Jones. “After our first set of wins on Friday, despite some aggressive rain and wind, we were able to go into Saturday confident and eager to play again.”
Their confidence was evident on Saturday as they would match the previous day’s record of 2-0. With duel scores of 5-0 against the host St. Andrews University, and 4-1 against the University of Lynchburg.
The final match against the University of Lynchburg would prove to be the toughest. With two of the five games going to a deciding third set.
The number four pair of Olivia Simon and Sam Simmers came out victorious during one of these three-set matches. After dominating the first set 21-9, they would drop the second set before winning the third set 15-9. This completed an undefeated weekend for them as a pair, and the Mustangs squad as a whole.
“Going undefeated this first weekend shows everyone what we can do,” Simmers said. “We gained a lot of confidence this weekend and we are excited to see what will come in Gulf Shores next weekend. We are playing a lot of tough competition this season and we want to keep proving ourselves and holding ourselves to a high standard.”
The undefeated start for the Mustangs reflects the hard work that has been put into pre-season and shows that as usual, the Mustangs are a dominant force on the sand.
The Mustangs continue play this week, traveling to Gulf Shores, Alabama for a five-match slate this Friday and Saturday, March 1-2. Their games are streamed on Instagram Live via the Stevenson women’s volleyball page.
