Last Thursday, the George Mason High School varsity volleyball team went up against one of the toughest teams in the states with a shot at a Region B birth on the line.
Experience and talent prevailed however, extinguishing the young Mason team's season in the Bull Run District semifinals.
Taking on host Strasburg, the Mustangs fell 14-25, 12-25, 8-25, but nonetheless pushed the Rams despite missing three regular starters in Kate Root, Ashley Dahl and Lexi Dahl due to sickness or injury.
The already young Mason squad suffered from missing those three players, but freshman Katie Breen and senior captain Annie Zwieghaft pulled the team together to put forth a solid effort. Breen led the team with five kills in the match.
“This was a very tough match for our team,” Mason Head Coach Rwaida Alshagra said. “Regardless, we were up against a very solid team that’s looking to go to [the state tournament] this year.”
In order to even get a shot at Strasburg, the Mustangs had to first get past Clarke County, who defeated Mason just a couple days earlier. Despite having Root and Ashley Dahl out, the host Mustangs prevailed 25-18, 20-25, 25-21, 25-22 last Tuesday.
Even though Ashley Dahl was sidelined, sister Lexi Dahl carried not only the family name but the team as well, completing 30 serves, five of which fell for aces. Breen added to the victory with 20 services in.
