MONROE - For Monroe volleyball coach Dave Gersbach a Badger South Conference win at home was long overdue.
Monroe (11-5, 2-4 Badger South) won a thrilling four game match over Oregon Tuesday night, 25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, for the Cheesemakers' second conference win.
"We got the monkey off our back last Thursday against Milton," Gersbach said. "Now it's good to get that home monkey off our back."
Monroe senior Chelsea Wyss scored three straight service points in the fourth game to help the Cheesemakers jump out to a 3-1 lead.
Oregon senior Alex Bresser, who had a match-high nine aces, scored four straight points late in the fourth game to give the Panthers an 18-15 lead.
After a Cheesemaker sideout, senior Chrissy Marti delivered a spike to tie the game at 18. Monroe senior Carlee Latimer had a critical block that gave the Cheesemakers a 22-19 lead and Wyss finished the game with a spike to give Monroe the win.
The Cheesemakers won the first two games, despite rallying to win the second game. Monroe jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first game. Monroe senior Jamie Armstrong, who had 20 kills and four blocks, had a momentum changing kill that gave the Cheesemakers a 13-8 lead.
"I think we had to not let the little things get us down and frazzled," Armstrong said. "I think we just believed in each other. That's why we pulled through. We just told each other, 'We have to have fun and play for each other.' That's why we are out there."
The Cheesemakers stormed out to a 6-2 lead in the second game. Bresser then came through for Oregon with eight consecutive service points including three aces to give the Panthers a 15-10 lead. Monroe senior Abby Kennison helped the Cheesemakers rally with 10 straight service points as the Cheese regained the lead, 20-15. Armstrong had three kills and a block during the 10-point spurt.
"It feels great," Kennison said. "I think what we did is put a ton of heart into those games."
Kennison was not worried about the score in the run from the service line.
"I actually didn't even think about the score," Kennison said. "I looked up and realized we pulled ahead of them."
Gersbach wasn't surprised by Kennison's impact.
"She is our senior leader," he said. "She is our co-captain. She loves the big situations and taking it upon her shoulders."
Oregon got off to a fast start in the third game as senior Kelsey Smith scored five service points including two aces to kick-start the Panthers, who jumped out to a 15-7 lead after Armstrong tipped a ball out and Oregon's Brianna Wethal tipped a ball over the Cheesemakers' front row. After Armstrong and Marti delivered spikes, the Cheesemakers cut the deficit to 16-15, but that was as close as the score would get.
"(We) did a great job of serving and putting Oregon back on their heels," Gersbach said.
Monroe senior Jessica Wyssbrod had 39 assists and Wyss had a team-high 12 digs to lead the Cheesemakers. The Cheesemakers battled through some tough stretches when they struggled passing the ball.
"They know that any girl can come in off the bench and pass the ball," Gersbach said. "They believe very strongly in each other and as a team."
Monroe (11-5, 2-4 Badger South) won a thrilling four game match over Oregon Tuesday night, 25-18, 25-19, 20-25, 25-21, for the Cheesemakers' second conference win.
"We got the monkey off our back last Thursday against Milton," Gersbach said. "Now it's good to get that home monkey off our back."
Monroe senior Chelsea Wyss scored three straight service points in the fourth game to help the Cheesemakers jump out to a 3-1 lead.
Oregon senior Alex Bresser, who had a match-high nine aces, scored four straight points late in the fourth game to give the Panthers an 18-15 lead.
After a Cheesemaker sideout, senior Chrissy Marti delivered a spike to tie the game at 18. Monroe senior Carlee Latimer had a critical block that gave the Cheesemakers a 22-19 lead and Wyss finished the game with a spike to give Monroe the win.
The Cheesemakers won the first two games, despite rallying to win the second game. Monroe jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first game. Monroe senior Jamie Armstrong, who had 20 kills and four blocks, had a momentum changing kill that gave the Cheesemakers a 13-8 lead.
"I think we had to not let the little things get us down and frazzled," Armstrong said. "I think we just believed in each other. That's why we pulled through. We just told each other, 'We have to have fun and play for each other.' That's why we are out there."
The Cheesemakers stormed out to a 6-2 lead in the second game. Bresser then came through for Oregon with eight consecutive service points including three aces to give the Panthers a 15-10 lead. Monroe senior Abby Kennison helped the Cheesemakers rally with 10 straight service points as the Cheese regained the lead, 20-15. Armstrong had three kills and a block during the 10-point spurt.
"It feels great," Kennison said. "I think what we did is put a ton of heart into those games."
Kennison was not worried about the score in the run from the service line.
"I actually didn't even think about the score," Kennison said. "I looked up and realized we pulled ahead of them."
Gersbach wasn't surprised by Kennison's impact.
"She is our senior leader," he said. "She is our co-captain. She loves the big situations and taking it upon her shoulders."
Oregon got off to a fast start in the third game as senior Kelsey Smith scored five service points including two aces to kick-start the Panthers, who jumped out to a 15-7 lead after Armstrong tipped a ball out and Oregon's Brianna Wethal tipped a ball over the Cheesemakers' front row. After Armstrong and Marti delivered spikes, the Cheesemakers cut the deficit to 16-15, but that was as close as the score would get.
"(We) did a great job of serving and putting Oregon back on their heels," Gersbach said.
Monroe senior Jessica Wyssbrod had 39 assists and Wyss had a team-high 12 digs to lead the Cheesemakers. The Cheesemakers battled through some tough stretches when they struggled passing the ball.
"They know that any girl can come in off the bench and pass the ball," Gersbach said. "They believe very strongly in each other and as a team."
