MONROE - The Monroe volleyball team rolls into the WIAA Division 2 regional tournament seeking its first postseason win since 2012.
The Cheesemakers (12-16) enter the regional as the sixth-seed and an underdog at third-seeded Richland Center (30-8). There are some comparable matches that gave Monroe coach Heidi Witt confidence. The Cheesemakers split two matches against Wisconsin Heights this year and knocked off Potosi in the Wisconsin Heights tournament earlier this season. Both Wisconsin Heights and Potosi have beat Richland Center this year.
"I don't think anyone should be going into this thinking it should be an easy win," Witt said. "I think if you put us on an even playing field we all match up well."
Witt sees the competition in the Badger South Conference being a factor as Monroe heads into the regional.
"I think our conference is more competitive than theirs," she said. "They are a very good team. I think we match up well. As long as we come to play the game we know how to play, it will be a tight match."
The Cheesemakers are led by seniors Sydney Mathiason (middle hitter), Payton Sigafus (outside hitter), Alexis Allen (setter), Alysha Witt (setter), Meredith Hose (libero) and freshman outside hitter Zoee Pond.
When the Cheesemakers made the lineup change and shifted Pond to right side hitter, the team became more dangerous in Witt's eyes.
"I think it's something we had to try," Witt said. "Zoee is a lefty. I think it was easier for her to set and hit the ball on that side. Zoee is a stronger player on the right side. I think she's a lot more comfortable over there. I think it has brought more energy to the team."
If Monroe beats Richland Center, the Cheesemakers would advance to the regional semifinals and play the winner of second-seeded Platteville and seventh-seeded Dodgeville.
Division 4
Argyle (15-6), which has won three straight Six Rivers East Conference championships, received a third seed and will host sixth-seeded Monticello today.
The Orioles defeated the Ponies in conference play twice this year. Argyle is back to full strength with the return of senior Ashley Bruehlman, who at 6-foot can dominate the net along with junior Jena Saalsaa.
"It's always tough playing a team multiple times," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "I think we are strong enough to handle that. We want to take it one point and one game at a time and go from there. We can't take anyone for granted."
The return of Bruehlman has given a jolt to the Orioles. Butler sees her role not only as a dominate hitter, but as a tough back row player.
"Ashley is one of our strongest back row players," she said. "She's a strong player in the back row and helps Jena (Saalsaa) out by getting her more sets."
The other Division 4 regional quarterfinal matches tonight include ninth-seeded Juda at eighth-seeded University Lake, 12th-seeded Pecatonica at fifth-seeded Barneveld, 13th-seeded Faith Christian at fourth-seeded Black Hawk and 15th-seeded Albany at second-seeded Catholic Central.
Newman Catholic has won four straight Division 4 state titles. The last team to beat them was Catholic Central when they won the state championship in four sets in 2012, which was the end of Hilltoppers' streak of three straight state tournament appearances.
"They (Catholic Central) are probably the favorite to win," Butler said of the Hilltoppers in their regional. "We are a strong team with a lot of talent. If we get the chance to play them, I think it will be a good match."
Division 3
Brodhead received a No. 4 seed and will host Deerfield today. If the Cardinals win, they could get a semifinal match against the winner of fifth-seeded Darlington and 12th-seeded Parkview.
The top seed in the Division 3 regional is Cuba City. If Brodhead makes a tournament run, the Cardinals will likely have to get by the Cubans in a regional championship match. New Glarus plays at Cuba City tonight.
The Cheesemakers (12-16) enter the regional as the sixth-seed and an underdog at third-seeded Richland Center (30-8). There are some comparable matches that gave Monroe coach Heidi Witt confidence. The Cheesemakers split two matches against Wisconsin Heights this year and knocked off Potosi in the Wisconsin Heights tournament earlier this season. Both Wisconsin Heights and Potosi have beat Richland Center this year.
"I don't think anyone should be going into this thinking it should be an easy win," Witt said. "I think if you put us on an even playing field we all match up well."
Witt sees the competition in the Badger South Conference being a factor as Monroe heads into the regional.
"I think our conference is more competitive than theirs," she said. "They are a very good team. I think we match up well. As long as we come to play the game we know how to play, it will be a tight match."
The Cheesemakers are led by seniors Sydney Mathiason (middle hitter), Payton Sigafus (outside hitter), Alexis Allen (setter), Alysha Witt (setter), Meredith Hose (libero) and freshman outside hitter Zoee Pond.
When the Cheesemakers made the lineup change and shifted Pond to right side hitter, the team became more dangerous in Witt's eyes.
"I think it's something we had to try," Witt said. "Zoee is a lefty. I think it was easier for her to set and hit the ball on that side. Zoee is a stronger player on the right side. I think she's a lot more comfortable over there. I think it has brought more energy to the team."
If Monroe beats Richland Center, the Cheesemakers would advance to the regional semifinals and play the winner of second-seeded Platteville and seventh-seeded Dodgeville.
Division 4
Argyle (15-6), which has won three straight Six Rivers East Conference championships, received a third seed and will host sixth-seeded Monticello today.
The Orioles defeated the Ponies in conference play twice this year. Argyle is back to full strength with the return of senior Ashley Bruehlman, who at 6-foot can dominate the net along with junior Jena Saalsaa.
"It's always tough playing a team multiple times," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "I think we are strong enough to handle that. We want to take it one point and one game at a time and go from there. We can't take anyone for granted."
The return of Bruehlman has given a jolt to the Orioles. Butler sees her role not only as a dominate hitter, but as a tough back row player.
"Ashley is one of our strongest back row players," she said. "She's a strong player in the back row and helps Jena (Saalsaa) out by getting her more sets."
The other Division 4 regional quarterfinal matches tonight include ninth-seeded Juda at eighth-seeded University Lake, 12th-seeded Pecatonica at fifth-seeded Barneveld, 13th-seeded Faith Christian at fourth-seeded Black Hawk and 15th-seeded Albany at second-seeded Catholic Central.
Newman Catholic has won four straight Division 4 state titles. The last team to beat them was Catholic Central when they won the state championship in four sets in 2012, which was the end of Hilltoppers' streak of three straight state tournament appearances.
"They (Catholic Central) are probably the favorite to win," Butler said of the Hilltoppers in their regional. "We are a strong team with a lot of talent. If we get the chance to play them, I think it will be a good match."
Division 3
Brodhead received a No. 4 seed and will host Deerfield today. If the Cardinals win, they could get a semifinal match against the winner of fifth-seeded Darlington and 12th-seeded Parkview.
The top seed in the Division 3 regional is Cuba City. If Brodhead makes a tournament run, the Cardinals will likely have to get by the Cubans in a regional championship match. New Glarus plays at Cuba City tonight.
