MONROE - Junior outside hitter Chloe Schroeder and the rest of the Monroe High School volleyball team showcased perseverance and proved they can play with one of the top teams in the Badger South Conference in dropping a match to Madison Edgewood in three riveting sets.
Both Edgewood and Monroe had to wait out a 20-minute delay in the third set due to a tornado warning, but the Crusaders pulled out a 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 win Thursday.
"I feel like it was definitely one of our best games," said Schroeder, who had a team-high five kills and two blocks. "At the beginning of the season, we were not getting to the tips. We are seeing the court more and noticing the hitters' hands more. We are noticing the tips, and we are able to dig them up. I think we played really scrappy in the back row. Hopefully, we can come back the next game and get the win with how well we played against Edgewood."
Monroe coach Heidi Witt was excited to see the Cheesemakers (6-14, 0-4 Badger South) battle through some long volleys.
"That is the kind of intensity we want them to play with," Witt said. "We were passing the ball very well. We were putting up a good block and frustrating their hitters. It's great to see all the hard work they put in during practice coming to fruition. This is a win in our book. It's a confidence-builder that they can play a team like that and be in it."
The Crusaders (3-0 Badger South) jumped out to a 15-8 lead in the first set. Monroe senior Hannah Vetterli had a kill to force a sideout. Monroe junior Alicia Kuester delivered an ace to cut the Crusaders' lead to 15-10. The Cheesemakers got within four points before the Crusaders closed the door to win the first set.
The second set was a reversal of fortunes compared to the first set. The Cheesemakers rushed out to a 7-3 lead before Edgewood rallied an took an 8-7 lead on an ace by sophomore Gina Moran. The Crusaders got kills from sophomore Caitlin Link and senior Sarah McGinnis to extend the lead to 14-11. A net violation on the Cheesemakers and a hit too strong that went out of bounds allowed the Crusaders to build an 18-12 lead. Schroeder responded with a key block, and Vetterli came through with an ace to slice the Crusaders' lead to 20-15. The Crusaders won five of the next six points to pull out the victory in the second set.
Schroeder isn't convinced the Cheesemakers needed more time to develop with new teammates. She is confident the extra work on passing is paying off.
"We all grew up playing together," she said. "That shouldn't be a problem. We have really had to work on our passing. I think passing is key in volleyball."
Monroe senior Paige Murphy had a team-high eight assists. Hilliard had a team-best five digs and three aces. Vetterli posted four kills, and Mathiason had two blocks.
"She (Hilliard) was digging very well," Witt said. "Her digs were right on the mark."
In the third set, the Cheesemakers started strong and built a 3-0 lead. The Crusaders rallied to take an
8-6 lead before both teams and fans went to the boys and
girls locker rooms for about
20 minutes due to a tornado warning.
After the delay, the Crusaders were called for a net violation and Monroe sophomore Sydney Mathiason scored on a tip to give the Cheesemakers a 15-12 lead. McGinnis delivered an ace and a block attempt off Mathiason helped the Crusaders take a 17-15 lead.
Monroe junior Whitney Wells answered with an ace and Vetterli followed with a kill to tie the set at 19. Hilliard had an ace to give the Cheesemakers a 20-19 lead, but that is as close as they would get. Edgewood senior middle hitter Molly Lazar had a kill to spark the Crusaders' comeback win.
Witt said the next step for the Cheesemakers is to pull out a conference win or take a rival to four or five sets.
"I think if they continue to play like this it will be sooner than later," Witt said.
Both Edgewood and Monroe had to wait out a 20-minute delay in the third set due to a tornado warning, but the Crusaders pulled out a 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 win Thursday.
"I feel like it was definitely one of our best games," said Schroeder, who had a team-high five kills and two blocks. "At the beginning of the season, we were not getting to the tips. We are seeing the court more and noticing the hitters' hands more. We are noticing the tips, and we are able to dig them up. I think we played really scrappy in the back row. Hopefully, we can come back the next game and get the win with how well we played against Edgewood."
Monroe coach Heidi Witt was excited to see the Cheesemakers (6-14, 0-4 Badger South) battle through some long volleys.
"That is the kind of intensity we want them to play with," Witt said. "We were passing the ball very well. We were putting up a good block and frustrating their hitters. It's great to see all the hard work they put in during practice coming to fruition. This is a win in our book. It's a confidence-builder that they can play a team like that and be in it."
The Crusaders (3-0 Badger South) jumped out to a 15-8 lead in the first set. Monroe senior Hannah Vetterli had a kill to force a sideout. Monroe junior Alicia Kuester delivered an ace to cut the Crusaders' lead to 15-10. The Cheesemakers got within four points before the Crusaders closed the door to win the first set.
The second set was a reversal of fortunes compared to the first set. The Cheesemakers rushed out to a 7-3 lead before Edgewood rallied an took an 8-7 lead on an ace by sophomore Gina Moran. The Crusaders got kills from sophomore Caitlin Link and senior Sarah McGinnis to extend the lead to 14-11. A net violation on the Cheesemakers and a hit too strong that went out of bounds allowed the Crusaders to build an 18-12 lead. Schroeder responded with a key block, and Vetterli came through with an ace to slice the Crusaders' lead to 20-15. The Crusaders won five of the next six points to pull out the victory in the second set.
Schroeder isn't convinced the Cheesemakers needed more time to develop with new teammates. She is confident the extra work on passing is paying off.
"We all grew up playing together," she said. "That shouldn't be a problem. We have really had to work on our passing. I think passing is key in volleyball."
Monroe senior Paige Murphy had a team-high eight assists. Hilliard had a team-best five digs and three aces. Vetterli posted four kills, and Mathiason had two blocks.
"She (Hilliard) was digging very well," Witt said. "Her digs were right on the mark."
In the third set, the Cheesemakers started strong and built a 3-0 lead. The Crusaders rallied to take an
8-6 lead before both teams and fans went to the boys and
girls locker rooms for about
20 minutes due to a tornado warning.
After the delay, the Crusaders were called for a net violation and Monroe sophomore Sydney Mathiason scored on a tip to give the Cheesemakers a 15-12 lead. McGinnis delivered an ace and a block attempt off Mathiason helped the Crusaders take a 17-15 lead.
Monroe junior Whitney Wells answered with an ace and Vetterli followed with a kill to tie the set at 19. Hilliard had an ace to give the Cheesemakers a 20-19 lead, but that is as close as they would get. Edgewood senior middle hitter Molly Lazar had a kill to spark the Crusaders' comeback win.
Witt said the next step for the Cheesemakers is to pull out a conference win or take a rival to four or five sets.
"I think if they continue to play like this it will be sooner than later," Witt said.
