In the stands, Mustang fans brought signs proclaiming “Here Comes the Pain Train,” referring to the power play of many of the seniors. Throughout the night, Mason rode that train to victory and while it had a few lapses along the way, they pulled into the station with another “W” to add to their impressive season. In the first game, the Eagles and the Mustangs battled back and forth to knot the score at nine apiece. From there, however, Mason pulled ahead to go up five, and eventually sealed the deal with help from senior Katie Mitchell, whose vicious spikes throughout the night kept the Eagle defenders on their toes. From then on it proved to be the same story, different chapter, for the two foes, as the crowd was treated to numerous lead changes on the night. In game two, the score was dead even at 24, but the Eagles scored a quick two points to eventually win the game, 26-24 and tie the match at one.

Juniors Sushmita Gorhandas and Anna Lathrop and senior Sabrina Whitney line up for the serve against Clarke County. In a hard-fought game, the Mustangs won 3-2, bringing their record to 13-3. (Photo by Alex Prewitt)

Senior Sabrina Whitney essentially clinched the third game for the Mustangs with back-to-back kills into the heart of the Eagle returnees, as Mason triumphed 25-17. Despite facing defeat in the fourth match 21-25, the Mustangs were in prime position to rebound in the fifth and deciding set, which is played to 15 points instead of the usual 25.

After falling behind four points to open up the game, Mason made a strong comeback, once again, behind the strong power serve of senior Brittany Head. The Mustangs scored six unanswered points to close out the game, winning 16-14 and bring home a victory for the seniors.

Along with Head, Mitchell, and Whitney, senior Lisa Razzi rounded out the four graduating seniors for the Mustangs this year. “The four seniors are characters in and amongst themselves,” Mason Coach Lauren Luck noted following the victory, “We will miss their overall passion and commitment to the team as a whole”

The win improves the Mustangs’ record to a recent best 13-3. Their next game will be on Thursday at Strausburg High School. The Rams are first place in the district, and are looking to run the table against their Bull-Run opponents. The game will start at 7:30.