Trojans find their ace in the hole

FAIRFIELD — A 2-0 lead for the Fairfield volleyball team nearly turned into a 2-2 tie and a deciding fifth set against rival Mt. Pleasant, but the Trojans had an ace in the hole.

After winning the first two sets, Fairfield dropped the third and faced a 12-5 deficit in the fourth. A couple of rotations later, the Trojans took a lead they did not relinquish en route to a four-set victory. (25-17, 25-22, 15-25, 25-17).

A Maya Lane kill cut Mt. Pleasant’s lead to 12-6, and sent sophomore Maddie Jones in to serve. By the time Jones’ service run was over, Fairfield led 15-12.

“I was terrified,” Jones said. “But I knew what I had to do.”

Jones started her streak with a pair of aces. Fairfield won the next point as well, making it four-in-a-row before Mt. Pleasant called a timeout. With the Fairfield crowd roaring, Trojan head coach Diana Drish told her squad that this was their moment.

“ I just said, 'This is the fun right here,’” Drish said. “You brought it back.'”

Off the timeout, Jones sent another ace to the floor. That kept the Trojans’ run going, along with a big block from Mallory Lyon and Macy Rayburn, and another kill by Lane. As the Trojans took the lead, the Fairfield student section that had been quieted by Mt. Pleasant’s rally was at its loudest, just steps away from Jones who was still serving strong.

“I've never played in that kind of atmosphere before,” Jones said. “It was definitely exciting.”

The Trojans’ run was 11-straight points. Mt. Pleasant’s Kenna Lamm ended it with a kill, which brought the Panthers within two, at 15-13. Mt. Pleasant never get back within one.

“When we make a few mistakes here and there, it gives them a momentum swing,” said Mt. Pleasant head coach David Streeter. “We can't afford momentum swings. We need to keep it on our side.”

Fairfield ran away with the first set thanks to some strong play up front. The Trojans broke a 22-22 tie with three straight points to take the second set, but Mt. Pleasant took control in the third and clawed almost all the way back.

“Our girls don't give up,” Streeter said. “They battle.”

Rayburn led Fairfield with nine kills. Lyon had six assists, and Kiya Robertson finished with 11 digs.

Lamm had 11 kills to lead Mt. Pleasant. Regan Seberg led the team in digs, and Ralyn Seberg paced the team in assists.

Fairfield moved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the SEC with the win. Mt. Pleasant is now 5-5 overall and 0-1 in conference play.