MONROE - There has been a learning curve as Monroe learns how to play winning volleyball for a new coach.
The latest lesson came Tuesday as the Cheesemakers won the first set 25-20 against Fort Atkinson. However, Monroe couldn't sustain the momentum and dropped three straight games 13-25, 21-25 and 7-25 to the Blackhawks.
"I think in the beginning we came in with nothing to lose," said Monroe junior Becca Armstrong who had 12 kills and two blocks. "We came out diving on the floor for balls. We lost all that momentum and drive we started with."
Monroe senior Kirstie Hinojosa had a pivotal kill in the first game to give the Cheesemakers (0-5 Badger South) a needed sideout and a 19-17 lead. Sophomore Taylor Barrett later delivered a kill to make it 21-18. Hinojosa came through with an ace and Armstrong had back-to-back kills to win it for the Cheesemakers.
The Blackhawks jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the second game as the Cheesemakers struggled with service receive. Fort Atkinson sophomore Amanda Putz had two aces late to push the Blackhawks' lead to 21-9.
The third game was close throughout. The Blackhawks had four aces as a team and the Cheesemakers had three service errors.
"They beat us in our heads the second and fourth games and we gave up," Monroe coach Danya Ward said.
Armstrong said the Cheesemakers just have a hard time playing through one bad play.
"It's just getting one bad rotation and getting to the next rotation and knowing that we can come through it," Armstrong said. "We have to learn if we win the first one or two sets in a game you can't lay down. You have to go out there ready. You have to know the other team on the other side of the net will not give up so you shouldn't give up."
The Blackhawks jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the last game sparked by freshman Kylie Frohmader's kill. Fort Atkinson sophomore Abby Schoonover scored seven straight service points including two aces to give the Blackhawks a 16-4 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Schoonover finished with six aces. The Cheesemakers at times struggled with service receive.
"They have to believe and don't hesitate going for the ball," Ward said. "They have to trust themselves. We can pass as strong as we want to. It's all mental."
Monroe junior Heather Barta had 25 assists and senior Kasey Gutzmer had four aces to lead the Cheesemakers. Ward still wants the team to cut down on unforced serving errors.
"I thought the serving was better," she said. "We still have a hard time pulling through when it matters."
The latest lesson came Tuesday as the Cheesemakers won the first set 25-20 against Fort Atkinson. However, Monroe couldn't sustain the momentum and dropped three straight games 13-25, 21-25 and 7-25 to the Blackhawks.
"I think in the beginning we came in with nothing to lose," said Monroe junior Becca Armstrong who had 12 kills and two blocks. "We came out diving on the floor for balls. We lost all that momentum and drive we started with."
Monroe senior Kirstie Hinojosa had a pivotal kill in the first game to give the Cheesemakers (0-5 Badger South) a needed sideout and a 19-17 lead. Sophomore Taylor Barrett later delivered a kill to make it 21-18. Hinojosa came through with an ace and Armstrong had back-to-back kills to win it for the Cheesemakers.
The Blackhawks jumped out to an 11-4 lead in the second game as the Cheesemakers struggled with service receive. Fort Atkinson sophomore Amanda Putz had two aces late to push the Blackhawks' lead to 21-9.
The third game was close throughout. The Blackhawks had four aces as a team and the Cheesemakers had three service errors.
"They beat us in our heads the second and fourth games and we gave up," Monroe coach Danya Ward said.
Armstrong said the Cheesemakers just have a hard time playing through one bad play.
"It's just getting one bad rotation and getting to the next rotation and knowing that we can come through it," Armstrong said. "We have to learn if we win the first one or two sets in a game you can't lay down. You have to go out there ready. You have to know the other team on the other side of the net will not give up so you shouldn't give up."
The Blackhawks jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the last game sparked by freshman Kylie Frohmader's kill. Fort Atkinson sophomore Abby Schoonover scored seven straight service points including two aces to give the Blackhawks a 16-4 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Schoonover finished with six aces. The Cheesemakers at times struggled with service receive.
"They have to believe and don't hesitate going for the ball," Ward said. "They have to trust themselves. We can pass as strong as we want to. It's all mental."
Monroe junior Heather Barta had 25 assists and senior Kasey Gutzmer had four aces to lead the Cheesemakers. Ward still wants the team to cut down on unforced serving errors.
"I thought the serving was better," she said. "We still have a hard time pulling through when it matters."
