Both Island Mixx volleyball teams bounced back from early losses Thursday, closing pool play with victories and carrying momentum into the single-elimination bracket at the AAU National Championships.
Island Mixx 13U snapped a two-match losing streak with a straight-set victory over Charlotte Flying Fish, while Island Mixx 12U followed suit by rallying for a straight-set win over Club V South.
The 13U team opened the day against Missouri Volleyball Academy 13 Black. Island Mixx jumped out to an early lead but could not maintain the advantage as Missouri Volleyball Academy claimed the first set 25-16. The second set remained close until a late five-point run helped Missouri secure another 25-16 victory.
Island Mixx then fell to Miami Bombers, 25-5, 25-19.
The team’s fortunes changed in its final match of the day against Charlotte Flying Fish.
With the first set tied late, Scarlett Poss stepped to the service line with Island Mixx holding a slim 16-15 lead. Poss delivered a seven-point service run that helped power her team to a 25-18 victory.
The second set followed a similar pattern. Holding a 19-16 advantage, Island Mixx turned to Nila Gardner at the service line. Gardner helped close out the match as Island Mixx secured a 25-16 win to complete the sweep.
Island Mixx 13U improved to 2-7 and will face York Replay, which finished pool play at 4-5, in the opening round of the single-elimination tournament Friday on Court 70 in the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.
The 12U team also overcame a difficult start to finish the day on a high note.
Island Mixx opened with a 25-14, 25-19 loss to Synergy 12 Blizzard.
In its second match, Island Mixx built an early 9-5 lead against A5 before momentum shifted. Following a timeout, A5 responded with a 16-3 run and went on to win the first set 25-19. Island Mixx dropped the second set 25-9.
In the final match against Club V South, Island Mixx found itself trailing 7-1 early in the opening set. The Virgin Islands squad regrouped and rallied to claim the set 25-21.
Captain Annabel Boschulte sparked the second set by serving seven consecutive points to open play. Island Mixx stretched the lead into double digits and cruised to a 25-17 victory to complete the straight-set win.
Island Mixx 12U improved to 3-6 and will face FTL 12U Atomic Chris, also 3-6, in the opening round of the single-elimination tournament Friday on Court 13 in the North Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center.
