MONTICELLO — Despite a slow start in the first set, the Monticello Ponies volleyball team (20-1, 10-0) clinched the Six Rivers East conference title with its sweep of the Argyle Orioles (1-14, 1-8) on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

“It was the worst game of volleyball that we’ve probably played in two years,” Monticello head coach Rebecca Gustafson said of the first set. “It was the quietest this gym has ever been. There was no intensity.”   

The two teams were tied at two before three consecutive attack errors from the Ponies and a kill from Mya McNett for a 6-2 Oriole lead. 

“Our girls were ready to play,” Argyle head coach Devra Leverington said of the Orioles’ first set fight. “They had some fire and wanted to win. They came in knowing they were playing the best team in the conference.” 

Monticello rebounded, scoring eight of the next nine points. Ellie Gustafson came alive in that rally with a kill and two service aces. 

The Ponies committed two more attack errors, though, allowing the Orioles back into the game. After a timeout to collect itself, though, Monticello never looked back. 

With a late five-point rally, the Ponies solidified a 25-19 win in set one. 

Monticello put the first set behind it, coming out dominant in the second.

“It was really simple: pick it up, serve it in the court, hit it in the court and we will win this game,” Rebecca Gustafson said. “They knew what to do. They are smart, athletic kids.” 

The Ponies broke a one-one tie, scoring 22 of the next 24 points. Monticello’s streak was broken up by a McNett kill and service error by Ellie Gustafson.

Argyle scored three consecutive points at the end of the frame, including an ace from Brianna Gaertig, but Monticello took the second set 25-6.

The Orioles took an early 4-2 lead in set three, as Lexi Wonders recorded a kill and ace. 

The Ponies worked their way back to a five-all and six-all tie before taking a convincing 18-7 lead. During the stretch, Macey Grant scored three consecutive points. 

Despite back-and-forth play at the end, Monticello took the set and match 25-11.

Ellie Gustafson led in kills (17), digs (12) and service aces (4) for the Ponies. Macey Grant trailed behind her with seven kills. Kelsy Grant distributed the offense with 27 assists, while Jaden Zuber served up three aces. For the Orioles, McNett tallied four kills and an ace. 

Monticello heads into the final stretch of the regular season with a game at Juda (2-12, 1-8) on Thursday, Oct. 6, while Argyle gets a week off before playing Albany (2-11, 2-6) on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

BRODHEAD 3, EDGERTON 0

EDGERTON — The Brodhead Cardinals volleyball team (28-3, 7-1) remains in the hunt for the Rock Valley conference title with its sweep of the Edgerton Crimson Tide (13-12, 5-3) on Tuesday, Oct. 4. The Cardinals won 25-16, 25-20, 25-19.

Abbie Dix once again led in kills with 16. Kirsten Fish also recorded double-digit kills with 10, hitting .563. As a team, Brodhead served up 12 aces with Alexis Kammerer accounting for four of them. She also led in assists with 34. Mckenna Young and Dix were the dynamic duo in digs, both recording 11.

Brodhead hosts conference-leading McFarland (27-4, 8-0) on Thursday, Oct. 6. The game will greatly influence conference standings, as the Cardinals, Spartans and Whitewater Whippets (15-5, 7-1) vie for the title. 

NEW GLARUS 3, CAMBRIDGE 0

NEW GLARUS — The Glarner Knights (13-7, 6-2 Capitol South) swept conference opponent Cambridge (2-12, 0-8) on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

The Glarner Knights cruised to a 25-7 first-set victory. The second and third sets weren’t as easy, though, as the Blue Jays pushed New Glarus to 25-18 and 25-20.

The trio of Grace Nommensen, Amber Horn and Lindsey Schadewalt controlled the offense with seven and six kills, respectively. Nommensen also recorded 15 assists. Defensively, Jordyn Runde led with four blocks. Carrah Bainbridge and Izzy Zimmerman kept rallies alive with nine digs each.

Cambridge stat leaders included Brooke Steinklyft with eight kills and nine digs, Mya Lehman with eight digs and Ridley Trainor with seven assists. 

New Glarus travels to Belleville (3-16, 2-7) on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

BARNEVELD 3, JUDA 0

JUDA — The Panthers (2-12, 1-8 Six Rivers East) fell in three sets to the Eagles (9-7, 6-3) on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Juda improved each set by scores of 13-25, 17-25 and 18-25. 

Jackie Nusbaum led in three categories: blocks (3), assists (9) and aces (3). Ciarrah Davis dug out 13 balls, while Lavinia Rufer tallied four kills.

Juda takes on conference champion Monticello (20-1, 10-0) at home on Thursday, Oct. 6.

DARLINGTON 3, FENNIMORE 1

DARLINGTON — In a competitive SWAL conference battle, the Darlington Redbirds (10-7, 6-4) edged the Fennimore Golden Eagles (10-8, 5-4) 23-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-22. 

Both teams entered the game with five conference wins, making for an impactful game. With the win, the Redbirds jump the Golden Eagles in the conference standings. 

Darlington faces another SWAL opponent on Tuesday, Oct. 11 in the Southwestern Wildcats (16-7, 7-3). With a win, the Redbirds and Wildcats would be tied at 7-4 in conference. 

PECATONICA 3, ALBANY 1

PECATONICA — The Comets (2-11, 2-6 Six Rivers East) suffered a loss to the Vikings (6-4, 5-3) on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

Albany travels to Barneveld on Thursday, Oct. 6 for another conference showdown with the Eagles (9-7, 6-3).