BRODHEAD - Apparently, the Cardinal fans simulating a rollercoaster ride was not just for fun and games - it was metaphorical of how the Division 2 regional semifinal matchup between Brodhead and Monroe was going. It was up for both teams, and it was down.
For the Cardinals, the rises were many and the falls were quick. For the Cheesemakers, the many twists and turns were guided by a few steep slopes throughout the ride. In the end, it was Brodhead who came out smiling in four games - 25-12, 22-25, 25-17, 25-12.
"We came out swinging," Brodhead coach Eric Ebensperger said. "We came out ready to go. I think we had a little bit of residual from our tournament and wanted to beat them."
The game started evenly, with both teams notched at 9-9 in the first game. Then, like the flip of a switch, the Cardinals turned it on. Amanda Johnson served the home team to 13 straight points, including earthquake spikes by senior hitter Kristen Ruchti, putting the game nearly out of reach at 22-9 before a timeout by Monroe head coach Dave Gersbach slowed the tide.
"The wheels came off the train," Gersbach said. "It's a game of runs sometimes. We had a rotation that was in question, and they made it tough to sideout."
Monroe got a sideout on the first point after the timeout, but the damage in game one was done. From there, Gersbach told his girls to just forget about the first game and start the second.
"We've played harder competition all season. We've played in a harder conference. They're athletes and they dug deep for the second game," Gersbach said.
In the second game, the Cheesemakers kept pace with the Cardinals and pulled out a heated 25-22 win. Monroe hoped that high would continue on throughout the rest of the match.
"We always came in thinking we could keep up with them. It's something you practice, but it will get you sometimes," Gersbach said.
In the third game, the wheels slowly started falling off for Monroe again. The Cardinals would string three or four points in a row between sideouts and carried the momentum to yet another win. Also in the third game, it wasn't just Ruchti hammering away at the net - Jordan Riese slammed five kills in the frame, and Courtney Mielke added two kills and an ace.
In the fourth game, Brodhead continued rolling, and Monroe continued their hard slide into the offseason.
Ruchti had two kills and a block in the first seven points of the game and the Cardinals dashed to a 6-1 lead early on.
"We just kept coming at them and luckily they couldn't stop us," Ebensperger said. "But you can never count anyone out. A 12-point run the first came could just as easily go the other way. Once in a while someone gets in a funk and it's tough to come out of it."
With the score in Brodhead's favor at 7-4, Ruchti slammed a kill that Monroe couldn't reach. The slam may have been the final turning point - as it appeared that Ruchti's hand had not only hit the ball, but the net. In fact, the net nearly made contact with the floor. However, in the eyes of the officials, Brodhead was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Monroe took the next point on a well placed bump by Chelsea Wyss to keep the game to within three points at 8-5. The Cards then went on a 9-3 run to take a commanding 17-8 lead. A short while later, the Cardinal faithful were in full vocals with a 22-11 lead. Monroe fans sat silently.
The Cheesemaker's final dash at momentum was thwarted when, after a solid kill by junior Jamie Armstrong, Armstrong's serve was negated because she crossed the line. From there, it was all Brodhead to close out the match.
"We were injured a lot this year, but we are very healthy tonight. That was big for us," Ebensperger said.
Ruchti led all players with 23 kills, three blocks, and two aces for Brodhead. Mielke also had two aces and Cassie Wymer dished out an incredible 52 assists.
"I thought Kristen Ruchti did awesome. Jordan Riese played really well outside and Wymer also had a big night. They are our captains and our seniors, and they all played really well," Ebensperger said.
For Monroe, Armstrong led the way with 18 kills and two blocks. Kayla Streff had 19 assists and two aces.
Brodhead now faces Edgerton tonight at 7 p.m. in Evansville for the regional final.
Monroe will instead turn in their gear. For the team's five seniors, it will be the last time. Monroe loses Marissa Ubert, Preslee Steiner, Brianna Zimmerman, Emily Rufenacht and Streff. Rufenacht moved to a new position (libero) in order to help the team and Streff never missed a point all season.
"Our seniors have come a long way in such a short time. It's tough to lose our seniors," Gerbach said. "The rest of this team will take this and run with it for next year. We'll be able to bounce back. We have all of our hitters returning, outsides and middles."
For the Cardinals, the rises were many and the falls were quick. For the Cheesemakers, the many twists and turns were guided by a few steep slopes throughout the ride. In the end, it was Brodhead who came out smiling in four games - 25-12, 22-25, 25-17, 25-12.
"We came out swinging," Brodhead coach Eric Ebensperger said. "We came out ready to go. I think we had a little bit of residual from our tournament and wanted to beat them."
The game started evenly, with both teams notched at 9-9 in the first game. Then, like the flip of a switch, the Cardinals turned it on. Amanda Johnson served the home team to 13 straight points, including earthquake spikes by senior hitter Kristen Ruchti, putting the game nearly out of reach at 22-9 before a timeout by Monroe head coach Dave Gersbach slowed the tide.
"The wheels came off the train," Gersbach said. "It's a game of runs sometimes. We had a rotation that was in question, and they made it tough to sideout."
Monroe got a sideout on the first point after the timeout, but the damage in game one was done. From there, Gersbach told his girls to just forget about the first game and start the second.
"We've played harder competition all season. We've played in a harder conference. They're athletes and they dug deep for the second game," Gersbach said.
In the second game, the Cheesemakers kept pace with the Cardinals and pulled out a heated 25-22 win. Monroe hoped that high would continue on throughout the rest of the match.
"We always came in thinking we could keep up with them. It's something you practice, but it will get you sometimes," Gersbach said.
In the third game, the wheels slowly started falling off for Monroe again. The Cardinals would string three or four points in a row between sideouts and carried the momentum to yet another win. Also in the third game, it wasn't just Ruchti hammering away at the net - Jordan Riese slammed five kills in the frame, and Courtney Mielke added two kills and an ace.
In the fourth game, Brodhead continued rolling, and Monroe continued their hard slide into the offseason.
Ruchti had two kills and a block in the first seven points of the game and the Cardinals dashed to a 6-1 lead early on.
"We just kept coming at them and luckily they couldn't stop us," Ebensperger said. "But you can never count anyone out. A 12-point run the first came could just as easily go the other way. Once in a while someone gets in a funk and it's tough to come out of it."
With the score in Brodhead's favor at 7-4, Ruchti slammed a kill that Monroe couldn't reach. The slam may have been the final turning point - as it appeared that Ruchti's hand had not only hit the ball, but the net. In fact, the net nearly made contact with the floor. However, in the eyes of the officials, Brodhead was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Monroe took the next point on a well placed bump by Chelsea Wyss to keep the game to within three points at 8-5. The Cards then went on a 9-3 run to take a commanding 17-8 lead. A short while later, the Cardinal faithful were in full vocals with a 22-11 lead. Monroe fans sat silently.
The Cheesemaker's final dash at momentum was thwarted when, after a solid kill by junior Jamie Armstrong, Armstrong's serve was negated because she crossed the line. From there, it was all Brodhead to close out the match.
"We were injured a lot this year, but we are very healthy tonight. That was big for us," Ebensperger said.
Ruchti led all players with 23 kills, three blocks, and two aces for Brodhead. Mielke also had two aces and Cassie Wymer dished out an incredible 52 assists.
"I thought Kristen Ruchti did awesome. Jordan Riese played really well outside and Wymer also had a big night. They are our captains and our seniors, and they all played really well," Ebensperger said.
For Monroe, Armstrong led the way with 18 kills and two blocks. Kayla Streff had 19 assists and two aces.
Brodhead now faces Edgerton tonight at 7 p.m. in Evansville for the regional final.
Monroe will instead turn in their gear. For the team's five seniors, it will be the last time. Monroe loses Marissa Ubert, Preslee Steiner, Brianna Zimmerman, Emily Rufenacht and Streff. Rufenacht moved to a new position (libero) in order to help the team and Streff never missed a point all season.
"Our seniors have come a long way in such a short time. It's tough to lose our seniors," Gerbach said. "The rest of this team will take this and run with it for next year. We'll be able to bounce back. We have all of our hitters returning, outsides and middles."
