DELAVAN - The ninth-seeded Monroe volleyball team collected its second win in the past week, defeating eighth-seeded Delavan-Darien in four games in the first round of the Division 2 playoffs Tuesday night.
After winning the first game 25-22, the Cheesemakers dropped a hard-fought second game 26-28 before sweeping the final two games 25-14, 25-21 for the match win.
The victory comes seven days after the Cheesemakers snapped their 27-match conference losing streak by defeating Monona Grove in three games at home. Two days after that, the Cheesemakers played hard in a loss to Madison Edgewood.
On Tuesday, they regained their winning ways.
Monroe coach Danya Ward said her team's energy was the big factor.
"They came out ready to play the first game," she said. "They came out and took control of the game."
Junior Taylor Barrett led the Cheesemakers with 13 kills and four blocks, and senior Becca Armstrong had seven kills. Junior Whitney Disch notched seven kills of her own to go along with four aces, and senior Ashley Curtis racked up 16 digs and three aces. Senior Heather Barta led the team in assists with 21, and junior Kayla Updike added 10.
"Ashley Curtis, Heather Barta and Becca had awesome games," Ward said. "Ashley had a great game. She took charge on the court. She was talking to her defense.
"Everything just came together for them. They were talking, they were passing."
Monroe advances to play No. 1 seed Big Foot in Walworth on Thursday. Big Foot defeated No. 16 seed Turner in three games Tuesday (25-11, 25-13, 25-5).
Even though the Cheesemakers have not played the top-seeded Chiefs, Ward said that if her squad plays with the same intensity as Tuesday, anything could happen.
"Obviously they're a strong team," Ward said. "We're on a high right now. If (the girls) play the way they played tonight, against Big Foot, it's going to be a good game."
Ward is confident her team can bring the same intensity.
"They're having fun," she said. "I really think they're going to come out on the same high that they did tonight."
After winning the first game 25-22, the Cheesemakers dropped a hard-fought second game 26-28 before sweeping the final two games 25-14, 25-21 for the match win.
The victory comes seven days after the Cheesemakers snapped their 27-match conference losing streak by defeating Monona Grove in three games at home. Two days after that, the Cheesemakers played hard in a loss to Madison Edgewood.
On Tuesday, they regained their winning ways.
Monroe coach Danya Ward said her team's energy was the big factor.
"They came out ready to play the first game," she said. "They came out and took control of the game."
Junior Taylor Barrett led the Cheesemakers with 13 kills and four blocks, and senior Becca Armstrong had seven kills. Junior Whitney Disch notched seven kills of her own to go along with four aces, and senior Ashley Curtis racked up 16 digs and three aces. Senior Heather Barta led the team in assists with 21, and junior Kayla Updike added 10.
"Ashley Curtis, Heather Barta and Becca had awesome games," Ward said. "Ashley had a great game. She took charge on the court. She was talking to her defense.
"Everything just came together for them. They were talking, they were passing."
Monroe advances to play No. 1 seed Big Foot in Walworth on Thursday. Big Foot defeated No. 16 seed Turner in three games Tuesday (25-11, 25-13, 25-5).
Even though the Cheesemakers have not played the top-seeded Chiefs, Ward said that if her squad plays with the same intensity as Tuesday, anything could happen.
"Obviously they're a strong team," Ward said. "We're on a high right now. If (the girls) play the way they played tonight, against Big Foot, it's going to be a good game."
Ward is confident her team can bring the same intensity.
"They're having fun," she said. "I really think they're going to come out on the same high that they did tonight."
