ALBANY - It seems like it was a long time ago, but it happened Aug. 31, less than a month ago. That was the night Albany did what no other Six Rivers Conference volleyball team has been able to do in the past three years: beat Black Hawk.
On Thursday, the Comets did it again in come-from-behind fashion with a 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19 victory over the Warriors.
Senior Sydney Bump powered her way to a game-high 28 kills, including nine spike kills in the clinching game four win for the Comets, who trailed 6-1 in the first game, 9-0 in the second, and 6-0 in the third before rallying.
Bump also came up with 30 digs and three blocks to lead the Comets. Albany got major contributions from senior Courtney Pfeuti (37 assists), sophomore Kirstie Kauk (22 digs), and senior Hillary Best, who suffered a severe ankle injury in the first meeting against the Warriors but has since returned and produced 22 digs and 17 kills Thursday night.
"Both teams were attacking the ball," Albany head coach Connie Wunschel said. "We just managed to make a few less errors. Our service was awesome tonight."
Seniors Melissa Wellnitz and Rachel Rygh, along with freshman Jen Wellnitz combined to hammer down 37 kills for the Warriors. Senior Alyssa Pieffer added 21 assists and four aces.
On Tuesday, Albany (7-0 Six Rivers East) will travel to Barneveld and Black Hawk (5-2) will host Monticello.
Pecatonica 3, Argyle 0
BLANCHARDVILLE - Senior Ellie Gifford racked up nine kills, seven assists, and two blocks while junior teammate Allison Swenson came through with eight digs and four aces to lead the Pecatonica Vikings past the Argyle Orioles, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18 Thursday.
Juniors Danielle Treuthardt and Micala Peterson each had nine kills for Argyle and sophomore Kayla Ostby added 20 assists.
"It's our Homecoming week and we really stressed on focusing on playing a smart game," said Pecatonica head coach Cher Schliem. "Everybody did a great job. It was a great team effort."
Pecatonica (2-5 Six Rivers East) travels to Black Hawk Thursday. Argyle (3-4) will host Juda Tuesday.
Southwestern 3, Darlington 0
DARLINGTON - There's a new sheriff in town in the SWAL called the Southwestern Wildcats. Two weeks removed from knocking off perennial power Cuba City, the Wildcats continued their march toward a SWAL conference title with a 25-13, 25-15, 25-18 win Thursday over Darlington behind Amy Tranel's 16 kills.
The Redbirds were led by juniors Laura Steiner with four kills, Chayse Hermanson with 11 digs, and Elizabeth Mathias with six blocks.
Darlington (0-8 SWAL) will travel to Boscobel Tuesday.
Barneveld 3, Juda 2
JUDA - The Panthers almost claimed their first conference win of the season, but the Barneveld Eagles came back from a two-games-to-one deficit to defeat Juda, 12-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-18, 15-10 Thursday.
Junior Ellen Kiser paced the Panthers with 14 kills and two blocks. Senior Aly Pierce had 15 assists and sophomore Miranda Trotter chipped in with eight digs for the Panthers.
Juda (0-7) will travel to Argyle Tuesday.
Palmyra-Eagle 3, Brodhead 1
PALMYRA - The Cardinals thought they could mount a comeback and pick up a big Rock Valley South win.
After winning the second game, Brodhead dropped the final two to lose, 25-11, 20-25, 25-18, 26-24.
On Thursday, the Comets did it again in come-from-behind fashion with a 25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-19 victory over the Warriors.
Senior Sydney Bump powered her way to a game-high 28 kills, including nine spike kills in the clinching game four win for the Comets, who trailed 6-1 in the first game, 9-0 in the second, and 6-0 in the third before rallying.
Bump also came up with 30 digs and three blocks to lead the Comets. Albany got major contributions from senior Courtney Pfeuti (37 assists), sophomore Kirstie Kauk (22 digs), and senior Hillary Best, who suffered a severe ankle injury in the first meeting against the Warriors but has since returned and produced 22 digs and 17 kills Thursday night.
"Both teams were attacking the ball," Albany head coach Connie Wunschel said. "We just managed to make a few less errors. Our service was awesome tonight."
Seniors Melissa Wellnitz and Rachel Rygh, along with freshman Jen Wellnitz combined to hammer down 37 kills for the Warriors. Senior Alyssa Pieffer added 21 assists and four aces.
On Tuesday, Albany (7-0 Six Rivers East) will travel to Barneveld and Black Hawk (5-2) will host Monticello.
Pecatonica 3, Argyle 0
BLANCHARDVILLE - Senior Ellie Gifford racked up nine kills, seven assists, and two blocks while junior teammate Allison Swenson came through with eight digs and four aces to lead the Pecatonica Vikings past the Argyle Orioles, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18 Thursday.
Juniors Danielle Treuthardt and Micala Peterson each had nine kills for Argyle and sophomore Kayla Ostby added 20 assists.
"It's our Homecoming week and we really stressed on focusing on playing a smart game," said Pecatonica head coach Cher Schliem. "Everybody did a great job. It was a great team effort."
Pecatonica (2-5 Six Rivers East) travels to Black Hawk Thursday. Argyle (3-4) will host Juda Tuesday.
Southwestern 3, Darlington 0
DARLINGTON - There's a new sheriff in town in the SWAL called the Southwestern Wildcats. Two weeks removed from knocking off perennial power Cuba City, the Wildcats continued their march toward a SWAL conference title with a 25-13, 25-15, 25-18 win Thursday over Darlington behind Amy Tranel's 16 kills.
The Redbirds were led by juniors Laura Steiner with four kills, Chayse Hermanson with 11 digs, and Elizabeth Mathias with six blocks.
Darlington (0-8 SWAL) will travel to Boscobel Tuesday.
Barneveld 3, Juda 2
JUDA - The Panthers almost claimed their first conference win of the season, but the Barneveld Eagles came back from a two-games-to-one deficit to defeat Juda, 12-25, 25-18, 17-25, 25-18, 15-10 Thursday.
Junior Ellen Kiser paced the Panthers with 14 kills and two blocks. Senior Aly Pierce had 15 assists and sophomore Miranda Trotter chipped in with eight digs for the Panthers.
Juda (0-7) will travel to Argyle Tuesday.
Palmyra-Eagle 3, Brodhead 1
PALMYRA - The Cardinals thought they could mount a comeback and pick up a big Rock Valley South win.
After winning the second game, Brodhead dropped the final two to lose, 25-11, 20-25, 25-18, 26-24.
