MONTICELLO — Last year the Ponies finished second in the Six Rivers East standings behind unbeaten Black Hawk. This season, the experienced Ponies are looking to knock the champs down a spot and take over the league.
“When it all comes together, we hope to be battling at the top,” said Monticello coach Rebecca Gustafson. “We have girls that love to play volleyball and spend many hours outside the season improving. This equates to players who know the game well and have solid skills.”
Monticello went 19-7 overall a year ago and 10-2 in conference play. The squad hosted a playoff match and won before succumbing to Randolph in the second round. Honorable mention libero Miah Brokopp, defensive specialist Sarah Blumer and hitters Emily Grant and Maggie Bak each graduated.
Despite the holes left in the lineup, the returning players are some of the brightest in the league. Senior Mackie Errthum was a second-team all-conference hitter and was second on the Ponies in both kills and blocks in 2019. Senior setter Alexa Siegenthaler was honorable mention a year ago and was second on the team in aces, and junior Hannah Clark is a speedy track athlete that the coaching staff feels is quick, can jump, block and hit the ball. Junior Macey Freitag is a versatile hitter that is looking to find a spot in the lineup this year, as well as sophomore Macey Grant, who could fill in at multiple positions.
And then there is sophomore hitter Ellie Gustafson, a six-rotation player that can pass as well as she can hit. She was first-team all-conference as a freshman and led the team in kills, aces and serve receive percentage.
“We have girls that can pass, set and bury the ball. There is competition for spots in the starting lineup, which is a good problem to have,” coach Gustafson said. “Our first challenge is figuring out where kids fit in the lineup and what systems work best for our team, especially after a summer where we were not able to play as much volleyball.”
Seniors Alyssa Holcomb, McKenna Pfeuti, Megan Peters, junior Katelyn Eyler and freshman Jayden Zuber could all see court time as well.
When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down sports in mid-March through much of the summer, that included many club and offseason opportunities for Pony players. However, the coaching staff is confident that even with a truncated season, this year’s squad has the ability to come together quickly.
“Our strength is in our team chemistry. These are great kids who work hard, have fun and support each other,” coach Gustafson said. “We’ve learned this summer that we appreciate any opportunity we get to be in the gym playing volleyball with our friends. Our goal is to stay healthy, take one day at a time, and play smart, aggressive volleyball.”
Black Hawk and Argyle present the biggest hurdles to a conference championship.
“They have great programs and some very athletic girls returning, but no one in our conference should be overlooked. There is talent in every gym,” coach Gustafson said.
