MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Eight points away from a straight sets victory and a spot in the Class AAAA state volleyball tournament, Morgantown was pushed to the limit by Musselman in the North Region co-final. The Mohigans found a way past the Applemen, 15-13 in the decisive fifth set to return to Charleston.
The state tournament begins Tuesday, November 11 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center.
Morgantown secured the first two sets by identical 25-12 scores. However, Musselman picked up their level of play late in the third set. Trailing 17-11, the visitors ran off 14 of the next 17 points to take the third, 25-20. The Mohigans played the final two sets without star sophomore Leah Greeny. She suffered a lower leg injury late in the third set and did not return.
“Trust one another and stick to our game plan. The second, third and fourth set obviously got a little wonky. Obviously we had to run some different things. It was just like, ‘We prepared for this. We know what to do. Let’s go back to that. Trust each other and trust what we have trained for’,” said Morgantown head coach Abigail Wolfe.
“We have so much depth on our team that it is awesome to be able to throw new people in. A next batter up mentality, we have had it all year. We have worked hard training our second rotation and third rotation so we can be prepared when the opportunity comes.”
Musselman won the fourth set, 25-17 to force a decisive fifth set. Neither team led by more than three points in the decider. Morgantown sealed the victory on their third match point, 15-13.
The Mohigans (34-4-1) will be one of four teams from the North Region to play in the Class AAAA state tournament.
“Granted, we would have hosted again. But it is very nice that we just get to move forward and prepare for states now. We don’t have to worry about Wednesday or make new plans.
“I think we have a really good shot. Having this adversity test is really great for when we get to states. This was the first fifth set we have played all year. It is very nice to have that under our belt here. And Musselman is a great team. They had really aggressive serves. So it is nice to be able to see that.”
Musselman (22-15) will host University Wednesday with the winner advancing to the state tournament. On the opposite side of the North Region bracket, Hedgesville locked up a spot in states with a 3-1 win over Spring Mills.