MONROE - The Cheesemakers girls volleyball team continued its string of dramatic wins at home, knocking off Milton in five games Tuesday night.
"These girls love to play ball - make it dramatic and make it interesting," Monroe head coach Dave Gersbach said. Monroe defeated Edgewood on Oct. 5 in five games, the first time the Cheesemakers had topped the Crusaders in years.
Tuesday's, 25-18, 12-25, 16-25, 26-24, 15-12, victory came on senior night, the last scheduled home match for Monroe.
"This was our last conference home match. We just wanted to prove that we could come out here and win," Jamie Armstrong said. "We wanted to prove that (Edgewood) wasn't just a fluke."
After losing the second and third games, Gersbach turned to his seniors to step up their games.
"(We were) flat. We were expecting the ball to come to us and for (Milton) to lay down. That's not how you play the game," he said. "It took a little fire under their rear-ends to get them going. We switched in some younger players, switched the rotation a little bit. If they want it, they can take it against anyone."
In the fourth game, the Cheesemakers found themselves dropping seven points in a row to fall behind 13-7. Slowly Monroe worked its way back into the game, first with a placement set by Jessica Wyssbrod, then with a slew of kills by Jaclyn Ditter, and Becca and Jamie Armstrong. Two of Monroe's last two points during the proceeding 13-7 run came via service aces by Jamie Armstrong.
"Jamie put the team on her shoulders. She told the girls that they had to want it," Gersbach said.
Moments later, the Cheesemakers found themselves at match point, 24-22. Milton failed to return a pair of volleys. On the second failed volley Armstrong sent multiple quick kills over the net and Abby Kennison made three big digs, allowing Monroe to tie the score at 24-24.
"It's on (our girls). They wanted it against Edgewood and again here tonight. They can do great things," Gersbach said.
Milton head coach Dave Soddy called a time out, trying to get the momentum back in his team's favor, but Kennison delivered an ace, giving Monroe the lead. Milton failed to return the next volley, sending the match into the fifth and final game.
"We're getting scrappier as the games go on," Armstrong said.
In the fifth game, both teams never quit. Monroe found itself trailing once again, at 10-8. Gersbach called a time out, and the Cheesemaker faithful joined the huddled team with a long-winded clap.
The volleyball gods appreciated the gesture and the momentum shifted to Monroe.
Before long, kills by Jamie Armstong and Chelsea Wyss helped give the Cheesemakers a 14-12 lead. Chrissy Marti then aced the final serve of the night to send the bench into a frenzy.
"It feels awesome. I was a little pessimistic (before the match), but this is great," Wyss said. "It's exciting. You're out there with your girls on senior night, you just want to push it and do it for each other."
Monroe closed the first game with an 11-3 run. In the second game, Milton went on a 14-3 run to break it open. The Red Hawks also went 11-1 run in Game 3.
Monroe still has one match left this regular season, Thursday at Oregon. The Cheesemakers will find out Wednesday night what their seed and opponent will be in the first round of the WIAA Division 2 state playoffs.
"These girls love to play ball - make it dramatic and make it interesting," Monroe head coach Dave Gersbach said. Monroe defeated Edgewood on Oct. 5 in five games, the first time the Cheesemakers had topped the Crusaders in years.
Tuesday's, 25-18, 12-25, 16-25, 26-24, 15-12, victory came on senior night, the last scheduled home match for Monroe.
"This was our last conference home match. We just wanted to prove that we could come out here and win," Jamie Armstrong said. "We wanted to prove that (Edgewood) wasn't just a fluke."
After losing the second and third games, Gersbach turned to his seniors to step up their games.
"(We were) flat. We were expecting the ball to come to us and for (Milton) to lay down. That's not how you play the game," he said. "It took a little fire under their rear-ends to get them going. We switched in some younger players, switched the rotation a little bit. If they want it, they can take it against anyone."
In the fourth game, the Cheesemakers found themselves dropping seven points in a row to fall behind 13-7. Slowly Monroe worked its way back into the game, first with a placement set by Jessica Wyssbrod, then with a slew of kills by Jaclyn Ditter, and Becca and Jamie Armstrong. Two of Monroe's last two points during the proceeding 13-7 run came via service aces by Jamie Armstrong.
"Jamie put the team on her shoulders. She told the girls that they had to want it," Gersbach said.
Moments later, the Cheesemakers found themselves at match point, 24-22. Milton failed to return a pair of volleys. On the second failed volley Armstrong sent multiple quick kills over the net and Abby Kennison made three big digs, allowing Monroe to tie the score at 24-24.
"It's on (our girls). They wanted it against Edgewood and again here tonight. They can do great things," Gersbach said.
Milton head coach Dave Soddy called a time out, trying to get the momentum back in his team's favor, but Kennison delivered an ace, giving Monroe the lead. Milton failed to return the next volley, sending the match into the fifth and final game.
"We're getting scrappier as the games go on," Armstrong said.
In the fifth game, both teams never quit. Monroe found itself trailing once again, at 10-8. Gersbach called a time out, and the Cheesemaker faithful joined the huddled team with a long-winded clap.
The volleyball gods appreciated the gesture and the momentum shifted to Monroe.
Before long, kills by Jamie Armstong and Chelsea Wyss helped give the Cheesemakers a 14-12 lead. Chrissy Marti then aced the final serve of the night to send the bench into a frenzy.
"It feels awesome. I was a little pessimistic (before the match), but this is great," Wyss said. "It's exciting. You're out there with your girls on senior night, you just want to push it and do it for each other."
Monroe closed the first game with an 11-3 run. In the second game, Milton went on a 14-3 run to break it open. The Red Hawks also went 11-1 run in Game 3.
Monroe still has one match left this regular season, Thursday at Oregon. The Cheesemakers will find out Wednesday night what their seed and opponent will be in the first round of the WIAA Division 2 state playoffs.
