MAZOMANIE - The Monroe volleyball team went 3-1 and lost in the semifinals of the gold bracket division to Sauk Prairie in the Wisconsin Heights Invitational on Saturday.
Monroe (14-12, 1-4 Badger South) finished first in pool play after defeating Wisconsin Heights JV 25-10, 25-13 and then topped Southwestern 25-17, 25-15. In the final pool play match, the Cheesemakers edged Iowa Grant 23-25, 27-26, 15-12.
"This is such a talented team and to see them play at the level they did is awesome to watch," Monroe coach Heidi Witt said. "We played very solid defense and offense. They played how we know this team can play. They did not give up when they were down and played very scrappy."
The Cheesemakers advanced to gold bracket play, and Sauk Prairie edged Monroe in the semifinals 25-16, 25-23.
"We didn't play with as much intensity in this match," Witt said. "We didn't play poorly, but the distraction of getting home to get ready for the evening was in the back of the girls' minds. We had four players on the Homecoming court and one of them, Hannah Neuenschwander, was the queen. But we still have to focus and have a job to do. I think if there was nothing to get home for the outcome of that game against Sauk may have been different and we would have been playing for first place. That's sports sometimes. That is how the schedule falls. Competitions are scheduled long before school events so this is going to happen. Volleyball isn't the only sport this happens with. Overall, I'm proud of all the girls and their play. Everyone was able to contribute."
Monroe senior Alicia Kuester had a team-high 23 kills and four aces for the invitational. Junior Sydney Mathiason delivered 18 kills and six blocks for the day. Junior teammate Alysha Witt racked up 37 assists and Neuenschwander had 36 assists.
Monroe senior Lexi Hilliard had a team-best 20 digs and senior Brenna Doherty added 12 digs. Senior Lexus Trickel posted 13 kills and junior Sydney Hilliard added 11 kills for the Cheesemakers.
Monroe will close out the Badger Conference regular season with a match at Fort Atkinson on Thursday. The Cheesemakers will then host the conference tournament on Saturday.
"We are starting to play at a higher level, which is so important as we head into our final conference match at Fort Atkinson on Thursday," Witt said.
Monroe (14-12, 1-4 Badger South) finished first in pool play after defeating Wisconsin Heights JV 25-10, 25-13 and then topped Southwestern 25-17, 25-15. In the final pool play match, the Cheesemakers edged Iowa Grant 23-25, 27-26, 15-12.
"This is such a talented team and to see them play at the level they did is awesome to watch," Monroe coach Heidi Witt said. "We played very solid defense and offense. They played how we know this team can play. They did not give up when they were down and played very scrappy."
The Cheesemakers advanced to gold bracket play, and Sauk Prairie edged Monroe in the semifinals 25-16, 25-23.
"We didn't play with as much intensity in this match," Witt said. "We didn't play poorly, but the distraction of getting home to get ready for the evening was in the back of the girls' minds. We had four players on the Homecoming court and one of them, Hannah Neuenschwander, was the queen. But we still have to focus and have a job to do. I think if there was nothing to get home for the outcome of that game against Sauk may have been different and we would have been playing for first place. That's sports sometimes. That is how the schedule falls. Competitions are scheduled long before school events so this is going to happen. Volleyball isn't the only sport this happens with. Overall, I'm proud of all the girls and their play. Everyone was able to contribute."
Monroe senior Alicia Kuester had a team-high 23 kills and four aces for the invitational. Junior Sydney Mathiason delivered 18 kills and six blocks for the day. Junior teammate Alysha Witt racked up 37 assists and Neuenschwander had 36 assists.
Monroe senior Lexi Hilliard had a team-best 20 digs and senior Brenna Doherty added 12 digs. Senior Lexus Trickel posted 13 kills and junior Sydney Hilliard added 11 kills for the Cheesemakers.
Monroe will close out the Badger Conference regular season with a match at Fort Atkinson on Thursday. The Cheesemakers will then host the conference tournament on Saturday.
"We are starting to play at a higher level, which is so important as we head into our final conference match at Fort Atkinson on Thursday," Witt said.
