SOUTH WAYNE - Black Hawk volleyball coach Rachel Wolff predicted Monticello would be a surprise team in the Six Rivers East Conference this year.
The Warriors (6-2, 3-0 Six Rivers East) didn't have to wait long for the Ponies to push them to the brink. The Ponies (2-2) had the Warriors on the ropes in the first game, clinging to a 24-21 lead. That's when Black Hawk junior middle blocker Kim Wellnitz took over and sparked the Warriors with three late kills to cap the Warriors' 26-24 comeback win. After stealing the first game, the Warriors went on to win the match in three games, 26-24, 25-18, 25-13.
The Warriors, tied atop the league at 3-0 with Pecatonica, extended their conference winning streak to 15 straight matches. But it wasn't easy with several long volleys.
"I think we knew we couldn't overlook them," Wolff said. "We came out flat-footed. Sometimes we need to get a little scared before we start playing. That is not the way we want it. That is what has been happening the first couple of games."
Wellnitz, who led Black Hawk with 11 kills, knows the Warriors will get every team's best shot.
"I think we do have a target on our back," Wellnitz said. "If we don't play up to our potential, it could come back and bite us in the butt."
Wellnitz knows winning the first game set the tone.
"I think it kind of gave us the momentum since we were down by so much," she said. "Getting that momentum really meant a lot. That fired us up for the next game."
Wolff understands what makes Wellnitz successful.
"She just knows how to stay calm until she's able to take charge of the game," Wolff said.
In the second game, the Warriors jumped out to a 13-7 lead after senior Paige Butler had five straight service points, including three of her seven aces. The Ponies cut the Warriors' lead to 14-13, but that's as close as they would get.
Black Hawk senior Gabi Lehner, who had 18 assists, delivered five straight service points, including two aces, and the Warriors built an 8-1 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Monticello coach Marian Anderson was impressed with her team's resiliency.
"They were ready to play," Anderson said. "They played Black Hawk like Monticello has never played Black Hawk. We proved tonight we will take on any team in front of us."
The Ponies were led by senior Emma Fenner, who had six kills and five blocks. Fellow senior Sarah Silver had five kills and six blocks, and Rachel Nelson had five blocks.
The third-game struggles with service receive hurt the Ponies.
"We seem to get tired if anything - mentally," Anderson said. "They were putting a lot of pressure on themselves to do good. They started to play scared in wanting to win."
The Warriors (6-2, 3-0 Six Rivers East) didn't have to wait long for the Ponies to push them to the brink. The Ponies (2-2) had the Warriors on the ropes in the first game, clinging to a 24-21 lead. That's when Black Hawk junior middle blocker Kim Wellnitz took over and sparked the Warriors with three late kills to cap the Warriors' 26-24 comeback win. After stealing the first game, the Warriors went on to win the match in three games, 26-24, 25-18, 25-13.
The Warriors, tied atop the league at 3-0 with Pecatonica, extended their conference winning streak to 15 straight matches. But it wasn't easy with several long volleys.
"I think we knew we couldn't overlook them," Wolff said. "We came out flat-footed. Sometimes we need to get a little scared before we start playing. That is not the way we want it. That is what has been happening the first couple of games."
Wellnitz, who led Black Hawk with 11 kills, knows the Warriors will get every team's best shot.
"I think we do have a target on our back," Wellnitz said. "If we don't play up to our potential, it could come back and bite us in the butt."
Wellnitz knows winning the first game set the tone.
"I think it kind of gave us the momentum since we were down by so much," she said. "Getting that momentum really meant a lot. That fired us up for the next game."
Wolff understands what makes Wellnitz successful.
"She just knows how to stay calm until she's able to take charge of the game," Wolff said.
In the second game, the Warriors jumped out to a 13-7 lead after senior Paige Butler had five straight service points, including three of her seven aces. The Ponies cut the Warriors' lead to 14-13, but that's as close as they would get.
Black Hawk senior Gabi Lehner, who had 18 assists, delivered five straight service points, including two aces, and the Warriors built an 8-1 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Monticello coach Marian Anderson was impressed with her team's resiliency.
"They were ready to play," Anderson said. "They played Black Hawk like Monticello has never played Black Hawk. We proved tonight we will take on any team in front of us."
The Ponies were led by senior Emma Fenner, who had six kills and five blocks. Fellow senior Sarah Silver had five kills and six blocks, and Rachel Nelson had five blocks.
The third-game struggles with service receive hurt the Ponies.
"We seem to get tired if anything - mentally," Anderson said. "They were putting a lot of pressure on themselves to do good. They started to play scared in wanting to win."
