YORKTOWN — The Mt. Vernon Marauders were ready on Tuesday night.
Prepared to advance.
Eager to turn the page.
Focused on initiating their playoff push during the Class 4A Sectional 9 quarterfinals at Yorktown High School.
Against 20-win Richmond, the Marauders (23-6) took their first step, sweeping past the Red Devils (20-7) in three straight sets, 25-8, 25-16, 25-16, to move into Saturday’s semifinal round versus Hoosier Heritage Conference rival Pendleton Heights at 10 a.m.
In search of their first sectional title since 2016 — and 13th overall — the Marauders claimed the first two games wire-to-wire against Richmond before overcoming a trio of early ties in the third to set their tournament tone.
Yet, just being inside the Yorktown High School gymnasium was enough to remind Mt. Vernon of the task at hand this week.
The 10th-ranked Marauders finished conference runner-up to the host 4A No. 2 Tigers (25-3, 7-0 HHC) this season with a 6-1 league record.
On the wall next to the Marauders’ visiting locker room Tuesday, Yorktown’s accomplishments were proudly displayed, echoing the program’s dominance.
“We are one,” the Yorktown volleyball team’s commemorative board showcased along with its 11 HHC titles listed since 2000, in addition to the Tigers’ five state championships (beginning in 2000) and 16 sectional titles in the past 47 years.
The defending 4A state champion Tigers are without question the favorite this week, but even their 3-0 sweep over Mt. Vernon on Sept. 9 inside their home gym was close (25-14, 25-20, 26-24).
The key, Mt. Vernon head coach Eric Bulmahn says, to getting past any playoff opponent, including Pendleton Heights (30-3), is execution and mindset.
“Pendleton Heights is pretty tough. If we get past them, then I almost feel better about Yorktown because we will have had two matches in this gym and some confidence,” Bulmahn said. “If we get past Pendleton Heights.”
Mt. Vernon defeated Pendleton Heights, 3-1, during the regular season on Aug. 26, by set scores of 25-13, 21-25, 25-18, 25-18.
However, conference familiarity often magnifies any postseason situation.
“They’ve seen us. The Hudl films are going back and forth as everyone is scouting out everybody else. What’s their tendencies? There are good coaches here, so they’re going to be doing the game planning just like I am,” Bulmahn said. “We’re all trying to figure out what will work.”
Passing efficiency proved the catalyst for the Marauders against Richmond, particularly in the first two sets.
A 5-4 lead in the first led to an 8-0 rally and an eventual decisive 17-point win.
Senior outside hitter Cecilia Bulmahn opened the set with a kill and bookended it with another to cap a 6-0 run to put Mt. Vernon up 1-0.
In the second set, Richmond stayed close, trailing by three points at 7-4 before rallies of 7-2, 4-1 and 6-1 increased the margin to double digits.
“During the Carmel tournament (this past weekend), we lost two tough matches against tough teams (Floyd Central and Carmel), but that’s part of the learning process to get us tuned up,” Eric Bulmahn said. “In sectional, we want to play clean and get better on our side because that’s what we’re preparing for. That’s been the message.”
Cecilia Bulmahn hammer home the point with a double-double, recording 13 kills and 12 digs. Senior setter Rylee Ugen had 31 assists to mirror her 10.0 per set average despite being subbed out in the third.
Senior right side Meredith Hohnbaum finished with 10 kills and two blocks. Senior middle Macy Lyons had six kills and four blocks. Senior Delaney Bowser added four kills, 14 digs and two aces.
Abby Herman, a junior defensive specialist, led the defense with 16 digs and three aces.
“We have to be able to, offensively, terminate or put a lot of pressure on them, and you can’t do that unless you play defense and you get the transition points,” Eric Bulmahn said. “So, it will be key for us.”
Sophomore Sophia Damer, a middle, provided three blocks, while sophomore outside Kate Ferguson had three aces and junior Elizabeth Gee-Weiler picked up 10 digs.
“I think, the girls aren’t getting wrapped up in the wins and the losses. They came into practice just as energetic after a loss as after a win,” Bulmahn said.
The goal is not to lose again and apply what they have learned from those frustrating setbacks such as losses to No. 6 Brownsburg (3-2), No. 4 Roncalli (3-1), No. 9 Fishers (3-1) and No. 8 Carmel (2-1).
“Last year, I think, we were able to, when it was a one- or two-point difference, beat a Brownsburg, Roncalli and some of these teams that we didn’t. But, it’s still within a point. All I worry about it playing tough and playing better each time,” Bulmahn said.
Saturday will be the true test with Pendleton Heights sweeping past Greenfield-Central 3-0 in the quarterfinals to setup a rematch. Meanwhile, Yorktown is projected to power into the finals scheduled for 7 p.m. that night.
Yorktown’s losses this season were to Roncalli (2-0), Brownsburg (3-2) and against No. 1 Hamilton Southeastern (3-2). The Tigers are currently riding a 14-match winning streak, which began against Mt. Vernon more than a month ago.
Pendleton Heights was third in the HHC at 5-2. The Arabians have won 11 straight matches. They haven’t won a sectional title since 1998 in 3A.
