MONTICELLO — The Monticello Ponies (22-1, 12-0 Six Rivers East) ended the regular season with a sweep of the Black Hawk (10-7, 6-5) Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
According to Monticello head coach Rebecca Gustafson, the Ponies did not drop a single conference set all season and have won 28 straight conference matches.
Monticello won the first set 25-12 and scored the first 18 points of the second set thanks to Macey and Kelsy Grant. The Ponies let up just seven points en route to a 25-7 victory.
Black Hawk challenged Monticello in the third set, tying the game at 11. The Ponies responded, scoring 14 of the next 16 points to take the set and game.
Monticello will begin its playoff journey on Tuesday, Oct. 18. As the No. 1 seed, the Ponies will host Chesterton Academy of Milwaukee (2-5). Black Hawk has one more conference match at Albany (4-12, 4-7) on Oct. 13 before starting its playoff run.
MONROE 3, CLINTON 1
CLINTON — The Monroe Cheesemakers (2-19, 0-7 Badger West) picked up their second win of the season with a 16-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-22 victory over the Clinton Cougars (5-16, 1-8 Rock Valley) on Monday, Oct. 10.
The next day, Monroe traveled to Evansville (14-8, 5-4 Rock Valley), where they fell 10-25, 20-25 and 6-25.
The Cheesemakers close out the regular season with a conference crossover game against Milton (8-12, 1-6 Badger East) on Thursday, Oct. 13. No. 13 Monroe begins its playoff run on Tuesday, Oct. 18 with a game at No. 4 Whitewater.
DARLINGTON 3, SOUTHWESTERN 2
DARLINGTON — The Darlington Redbirds (11-7, 7-4) edged the Southwestern Wildcats (16-8, 7-4) in a SWAL conference showdown on Tuesday, Oct. 11. With the win, Darlington, Southwestern and Fennimore are in a three-way tie for third place in the SWAL at 7-4.
The Redbirds dropped the first two sets by a combined five points at 23-25 and 22-25. They rebounded to win the next three sets 25-16, 25-18 and 15-8.
Aubrey McCarthy led in three statistical categories: aces (4), digs (13) and assists (24). Jaidyn Evanstad knocked down 16 kills, while Ava Hendrickson loomed at the net with seven blocks.
The Redbirds finish the regular season with a conference match at Iowa-Grant (0-16, 0-11) on Thursday, Oct. 13. Southwestern will play conference champion Mineral Point (15-5, 11-0), while Fennimore (12-9, 7-4) plays second-place Cuba City (17-5, 8-3).
Pending no upsets, Darlington would finish third in the conference. If Fennimore were to beat Cuba City, Darlington, Cuba City and Fennimore would all be tied for second at 8-4.
BARNEVELD 3, PECATONICA 0
PECATONICA — In a battle for second place in the Six Rivers East conference, Barneveld (11-7, 8-3) swept Pecatonica (8-9, 7-4).
The Vikings will finish the regular season with a match against Juda (2-14, 1-10). Pecatonica’s post-season journey begins with a game against Shullsburg on Tuesday, Oct. 18. If all goes as planned, Pecatonica and Barneveld would meet again in the regional semifinal game on Thursday, Oct. 20.
ALBANY 3, ARGYLE 0
ALBANY — The Albany Comets (4-12, 4-7 Six Rivers East) swept the Argyle Orioles (1-16, 1-10) at home on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
Albany kept Argyle below 20 points in each set, winning 25-11, 25-19 and 25-13. Alana Durtschi led the Comets in kills (9) and digs (21). At the service line, Anna Ellinger racked up six aces. She also dominated at the net with four blocks. Ellie Modaff and Myah Johnson combined for 22 assists.
Albany finishes the regular season by hosting Black Hawk (10-7, 6-5) on Thursday, Oct. 13. Argyle also ends its regular season at home with a game against Barneveld (11-7, 8-3).
