BELMONT — While local action ensued in Monroe and Monticello, Albany and Brodhead took to the road for their first contests of the 2023 season.

Albany opened with two pool-play wins against Cassville (25-15, 26-34) and host Belmont (25-20, 25-17). In the gold bracket, thought, the Comets found their match in River Ridge, Ill. (12-25, 18-25) and Six Rivers East opponent Barneveld (19-25, 16-25). The Eagles went on to win the tournament, going undefeated on the weekend. 

Alana Durtschi and Anna Ellinger led the team with 23 and 24 kills, respectively. Ellie Modaff and Miah Johnson distributed the offense, combining for 60 assists, while Avery Briggs served up eight aces. As a team, the Comets had 73 kills, 114 digs, 22 aces and 28 blocks.

In Janesville, Brodhead played its way to the gold division, where they dropped competitive games to Sauk Prairie and Madison Memorial. Overall, the Cardinals finished seventh of 14 teams.

“After day one gameplay, we earned the gold division and played hard on Saturday,” Brodhead coach Erin Kammerer said. “We only walked away with one win, but our team played well. We competed with first-place Sauk and second-place Memorial but couldn’t pull away with a win.  Great gains were made, and this tournament prepared us for conference play.”