MONROE - The Cheesemakers just keep on impressing in their turnaround volleyball season. With the season winding down, Monroe took care of conference rival Stoughton in four games, 25-15, 16-25, 25-16, 25-23 Thursday.
"That was awesome," Monroe head coach Dave Gersbach said. "Stoughton has always been a rival of ours. They always bring a good match. The girls played well tonight and it was fun."
The Cheesemakers and the Vikings went back and forth early in the first game before a five-point run gave Monroe an 11-5 lead. Stoughton brought the score back to as close to 13-11 before the Cheese rattled off 12 of the next 16 points.
In the second game, Stoughton started hot with eight straight points for a 9-2 lead. Before long, the game appeared to be lost at 18-8 until the Cheese took six of the next seven points. However, Stoughton went on to cap off the game with a 6-2 run.
Monroe started out on fire in the third game, taking the first five points and leading 8-3 before Stoughton worked its way back to 10-10 and took the lead at 14-11.
Kayla Streff then led the way from the service line, leading the Cheese to 10 straight points, including a pair of aces. Stoughton got two straight points in an attempt to slow the Cheesemaker scoring streak, but the home team scored the last four points to take the 2-1 match lead.
"It's essential to get that momentum. When you've done that, you've done a great job," Gersbach said.
Monroe saw a fair amount of well-timed blocks and aces throughout the night that Gersbach was pleased with.
"We've really tried to perfect our serving and blocking," he said. "Nothing comes natural, but it's been awesome."
In the third game, both teams went back and forth throughout, with the biggest lead sitting at 15-10 in Stoughton's favor. Monroe dramatically worked its way back with timely blocks and kills to lead, 20-19. Stoughton worked slowly and took a 23-22 lead before the Vikings failed to return a ball for the final three points.
"We've made a couple switches and changes. Jamie Armstrong will slide to the outside on occasion and it will jump-start us. Our outside hitters came around nicely tonight once they relaxed, too," Gersbach said.
Armstrong, Monroe's unheralded court leader, knocked down 20 kills, nine blocks and three aces.
Kayla Streff dished out 23 assists, Marissa Ubert had 13 digs, and Emily Rufenacht had 14 digs and a pair of well-timed aces.
"This is Emily's first year in the libero position, but she's taken that on nicely. She made some key adjustments in the back row. She has a feel for the game out there, and she's doing great," Gersbach said.
Stoughton's Ali Wahlin had a big night with 14 kills, but the Vikings fell to 2-8 in Badger South play.
Monroe (5-5 Badger South) heads off to the Milton (1-9) next week before hosting Oregon (8-3) in the season finale.
"This is the last mark to have on our seeding meeting. Hopefully this last big 'W' will look well in our regional seeding," Gersbach said. "We're not looking past our last conference matches, but we're looking forward to figuring out who we will see in the tournament."
"That was awesome," Monroe head coach Dave Gersbach said. "Stoughton has always been a rival of ours. They always bring a good match. The girls played well tonight and it was fun."
The Cheesemakers and the Vikings went back and forth early in the first game before a five-point run gave Monroe an 11-5 lead. Stoughton brought the score back to as close to 13-11 before the Cheese rattled off 12 of the next 16 points.
In the second game, Stoughton started hot with eight straight points for a 9-2 lead. Before long, the game appeared to be lost at 18-8 until the Cheese took six of the next seven points. However, Stoughton went on to cap off the game with a 6-2 run.
Monroe started out on fire in the third game, taking the first five points and leading 8-3 before Stoughton worked its way back to 10-10 and took the lead at 14-11.
Kayla Streff then led the way from the service line, leading the Cheese to 10 straight points, including a pair of aces. Stoughton got two straight points in an attempt to slow the Cheesemaker scoring streak, but the home team scored the last four points to take the 2-1 match lead.
"It's essential to get that momentum. When you've done that, you've done a great job," Gersbach said.
Monroe saw a fair amount of well-timed blocks and aces throughout the night that Gersbach was pleased with.
"We've really tried to perfect our serving and blocking," he said. "Nothing comes natural, but it's been awesome."
In the third game, both teams went back and forth throughout, with the biggest lead sitting at 15-10 in Stoughton's favor. Monroe dramatically worked its way back with timely blocks and kills to lead, 20-19. Stoughton worked slowly and took a 23-22 lead before the Vikings failed to return a ball for the final three points.
"We've made a couple switches and changes. Jamie Armstrong will slide to the outside on occasion and it will jump-start us. Our outside hitters came around nicely tonight once they relaxed, too," Gersbach said.
Armstrong, Monroe's unheralded court leader, knocked down 20 kills, nine blocks and three aces.
Kayla Streff dished out 23 assists, Marissa Ubert had 13 digs, and Emily Rufenacht had 14 digs and a pair of well-timed aces.
"This is Emily's first year in the libero position, but she's taken that on nicely. She made some key adjustments in the back row. She has a feel for the game out there, and she's doing great," Gersbach said.
Stoughton's Ali Wahlin had a big night with 14 kills, but the Vikings fell to 2-8 in Badger South play.
Monroe (5-5 Badger South) heads off to the Milton (1-9) next week before hosting Oregon (8-3) in the season finale.
"This is the last mark to have on our seeding meeting. Hopefully this last big 'W' will look well in our regional seeding," Gersbach said. "We're not looking past our last conference matches, but we're looking forward to figuring out who we will see in the tournament."
