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MUSCATINE, Iowa – Haylie Franklin admits Muscatine’s volleyball team is still a work in progress.

But after setbacks to 10th-ranked Bettendorf and No. 13 Davenport Central to open Mississippi Athletic Conference action, the Muskies needed a victory to generate some positive vibes.

Thanks to 19 kills from Franklin and a pivotal 8-1 flurry in Game 3, No. 15 Muscatine earned its first MAC win Monday night with a 25-13, 19-25, 25-19, 25-11 triumph over Burlington at a stuffy MHS gymnasium.

“It definitely boosted our confidence to get that first MAC win out of the way,” Franklin said. “We came out really hard tonight. We wanted this win real badly.”

With head coach Laura Proffitt at home with the flu, assistant Claire Rhoten stepped in and directed the Muskies, who wasted little time in getting through game one. Tia Hagy had four of her seven kills in the opening set as the Grayhounds (3-5, 1-2 MAC) failed to get in any rhythm due to their lackluster passing.

“It looked like we were having a good time in that first game,” Rhoten said.

Muscatine (5-3, 1-2) appeared in control of Game 2 after scoring seven of the first eight points, but Burlington stormed back and eventually leveled the game at 17. The Grayhounds continued to push on the accelerator, scoring eight of the final 10 points to even the match.

“We had a little bit of a mental lapse in that second game,” Franklin said.

Burlington had a 13-11 advantage in the third game until Muscatine rattled off an 8-1 surge. Julie Wunder and Franklin served during that stretch.

“It was nerve-racking,” Hagy said. “We had tingles in our hands. We were shook up and nervous, but we kept pushing forward.”

It was a positive step for the Muskies, who have been inconsistent in closing out games this year.

“We know we’re not the best finishing team, but we’re really working hard to get over that hump so we can become a better finishing team,” Franklin said. “It’s important in volleyball.”

Muscatine left no doubt in the final game, breaking free from a six-all tie with six consecutive points. Franklin had a kill and three of her match-high five service aces during that span.

“(Haylie’s) a big leader for us,” Rhoten said. “She’s our go-to girl. We depend on her a lot out there.”

Emily Hasken contributed 14 kills for the Muskies, who finished the match with 17 service aces. Libero Jordan Walgren had 28 digs and Franklin contributed 23.

With the season nearly at the halfway point, Franklin said it’s critical for Muscatine to find another gear.

“We need to start stringing some wins together to keep our confidence up,” she said. “We’re still definitely improving. We just want to keep working hard and hope we’re playing our best volleyball at tournament time.”

Rhoten said Monday was a start in the right direction.

“We really needed that win,” she said. “We played like a team tonight, and we’re feeling pretty good.”

Burlington   13   25   19   11

Muscatine   25   19   25   25

Kills – Muscatine (Haylie Franklin 19, Emily Hasken 14, Tia Hagy 7). Digs – Muscatine (Jordan Walgren 28, Franklin 23, Natalie Pestka 19, Julie Wunder 6). Assists – Muscatine (Wunder 25). Serving – Muscatine (Franklin 16 of 19, Hasken 14 of 19, Allison Curry 11 of 14, Wunder 10 of 10, Ashley Hogenson 10 of 11, Walgren 9 of 11). Ace serves – Muscatine (Franklin 5, Walgren 3, Hogenson 3, Curry 3, Hasken 2, Wunder 1).

Records – Burlington 3-5, 1-2 MAC; Muscatine 5-3, 1-2.

Next match – Muscatine plays at Davenport Assumption today.