MONROE - It didn't take long for the Cheesemakers to dispose of Evansville in the first round of the WIAA regional volleyball tournament, Tuesday.
Monroe jumped out to an 11-1 lead in the first game and never looked back in its 25-10, 25-12, 25-13 victory.
"We came into this game knowing that we shouldn't expect to win it," senior hitter Jamie Armstrong said. "We knew we had to give everything and play a really intense match. We didn't want this to be the last time we played."
The Cheesemakers never trailed in the three-game sweep. Both teams were tied twice at 1-1, including the first game. After the 10-0 run, which included three aces by Armstrong, the game's momentum shifted completely in Monroe's direction.
"We did what we needed to do," head coach Dave Gersbach said. "We ran the same offense we've run all year."
In the second game, Monroe went up 5-0, only to have Evansville creep back to make it 5-4. Senior Cheesemaker Abby Kennison got the momentum back, diving for a dig and returning the ball into the Blue Devils' no man's land.
"I gave Carlee (Latimer) another night of rest. I just want her back and really strong on Friday. And Abby slides in nicely," Gersbach said.
According to Armstrong, Monroe has had its fair share of the flu bug.
"A lot of people were sick, so to prove that we could still (win like this) proves a lot," she said.
Evansville kept Game 2 as close as 12-9 before the Cheesemakers closed it out on a 13-3 run, capped by a block kill from Chrissy Marti.
Monroe's third game had an entirely new lineup. Backups Jessica Leu, Abby Jacobson, Jaclyn Ditter, Becca Armstrong, Kyleigh Sellnow and Sarah Kloepping were on the floor, with seldom used libero Gracie Schilt getting in on the action. Only Ditter, Jacobson and Armstrong see significant time during most matches.
"I've got a strong bench. All of these girls I know can step in at any time. It's tough to be behind a group of seniors," Gersbach said. "Jessica Wyssbrod sat behind two senior setters last year, and this year is one of our key players."
Jamie Armstrong, a senior hitter who has committed to play volleyball at George Washington in 2010, was pleased to see her teammates get in on the action.
"It's really good to get them out there. It really helps with the team confidence to help us move forward," she said.
Overall, Jamie Armstrong led the team with six kills, two blocks, four aces and eight digs - all in just the first two frames. Marty registered six kills, Ditter had three aces, Chelsea Wyss added nine digs and Jessica Wyssbrod dished out 15 assists.
The Cheesemakers finished the night with 15 aces, including the final point of the game off the serve of Wyssbrod. However, Evansville had nine aces, a statistic that concerns Gersbach.
"It was interesting. I think we were expecting a lot of hitting, and when that didn't happen, maybe the ball looked like it was coming quicker than expected," he said. "We still have a lot of work to do."
Monroe has one more home match this season, Friday against Platteville at 7 p.m. Should the Cheesemakers walk away with a victory, they would play the winner of Edgerton and Clinton in Edgerton Saturday night.
"Platteville and Evansville play the same defense, so we're really going to work on spot hitting and positioning," Gersbach said. "I'm looking forward to the crowd on Friday. I hope we have good numbers again."
Monroe jumped out to an 11-1 lead in the first game and never looked back in its 25-10, 25-12, 25-13 victory.
"We came into this game knowing that we shouldn't expect to win it," senior hitter Jamie Armstrong said. "We knew we had to give everything and play a really intense match. We didn't want this to be the last time we played."
The Cheesemakers never trailed in the three-game sweep. Both teams were tied twice at 1-1, including the first game. After the 10-0 run, which included three aces by Armstrong, the game's momentum shifted completely in Monroe's direction.
"We did what we needed to do," head coach Dave Gersbach said. "We ran the same offense we've run all year."
In the second game, Monroe went up 5-0, only to have Evansville creep back to make it 5-4. Senior Cheesemaker Abby Kennison got the momentum back, diving for a dig and returning the ball into the Blue Devils' no man's land.
"I gave Carlee (Latimer) another night of rest. I just want her back and really strong on Friday. And Abby slides in nicely," Gersbach said.
According to Armstrong, Monroe has had its fair share of the flu bug.
"A lot of people were sick, so to prove that we could still (win like this) proves a lot," she said.
Evansville kept Game 2 as close as 12-9 before the Cheesemakers closed it out on a 13-3 run, capped by a block kill from Chrissy Marti.
Monroe's third game had an entirely new lineup. Backups Jessica Leu, Abby Jacobson, Jaclyn Ditter, Becca Armstrong, Kyleigh Sellnow and Sarah Kloepping were on the floor, with seldom used libero Gracie Schilt getting in on the action. Only Ditter, Jacobson and Armstrong see significant time during most matches.
"I've got a strong bench. All of these girls I know can step in at any time. It's tough to be behind a group of seniors," Gersbach said. "Jessica Wyssbrod sat behind two senior setters last year, and this year is one of our key players."
Jamie Armstrong, a senior hitter who has committed to play volleyball at George Washington in 2010, was pleased to see her teammates get in on the action.
"It's really good to get them out there. It really helps with the team confidence to help us move forward," she said.
Overall, Jamie Armstrong led the team with six kills, two blocks, four aces and eight digs - all in just the first two frames. Marty registered six kills, Ditter had three aces, Chelsea Wyss added nine digs and Jessica Wyssbrod dished out 15 assists.
The Cheesemakers finished the night with 15 aces, including the final point of the game off the serve of Wyssbrod. However, Evansville had nine aces, a statistic that concerns Gersbach.
"It was interesting. I think we were expecting a lot of hitting, and when that didn't happen, maybe the ball looked like it was coming quicker than expected," he said. "We still have a lot of work to do."
Monroe has one more home match this season, Friday against Platteville at 7 p.m. Should the Cheesemakers walk away with a victory, they would play the winner of Edgerton and Clinton in Edgerton Saturday night.
"Platteville and Evansville play the same defense, so we're really going to work on spot hitting and positioning," Gersbach said. "I'm looking forward to the crowd on Friday. I hope we have good numbers again."
