MILTON - The Monroe volleyball team, with sophomore middle hitter Alicia Kuester out for the rest of the season with a dislocated thumb, lost two matches at the Badger Conference tournament Saturday.
Monroe (8-25) received a No. 7 seed and played No. 2 seed Fort Atkinson in the first round. Fort Atkinson knocked off the Cheesemakers 25-9, 25-17.
"Monroe started off a little slow," Monroe coach Heidi Witt said. "They started to come together in the second set but it was just a little too late."
Stoughton then beat Monroe 25-17, 25-16.
"The team really started playing together that game but we had a few moments where mistakes got us down," Witt said. "Mentally, we have to remain strong and believe in ourselves and the team, no matter what the adversity or what mistakes are made."
Monroe senior Kari Jordan had a team-high eight kills. Monroe's Maggy Johnson stepped up into the starting role at middle hitter. Johnson finished with three kills, three aces and one block. Senior Lauren Curtis had a team-high five digs. Junior Hannah Vetterli notched three kills and sophomore Chloe Schroeder added one block.
"She did a great job and maintained a positive attitude doing what she needed to do for the team," Witt said.
Monroe will play three matches this week. After hosting Janesville Craig Monday, Monroe will host Evansville in a pink-out match on Tuesday. The Cheesemakers will then play at Reedsburg Thursday.
Monroe (8-25) received a No. 7 seed and played No. 2 seed Fort Atkinson in the first round. Fort Atkinson knocked off the Cheesemakers 25-9, 25-17.
"Monroe started off a little slow," Monroe coach Heidi Witt said. "They started to come together in the second set but it was just a little too late."
Stoughton then beat Monroe 25-17, 25-16.
"The team really started playing together that game but we had a few moments where mistakes got us down," Witt said. "Mentally, we have to remain strong and believe in ourselves and the team, no matter what the adversity or what mistakes are made."
Monroe senior Kari Jordan had a team-high eight kills. Monroe's Maggy Johnson stepped up into the starting role at middle hitter. Johnson finished with three kills, three aces and one block. Senior Lauren Curtis had a team-high five digs. Junior Hannah Vetterli notched three kills and sophomore Chloe Schroeder added one block.
"She did a great job and maintained a positive attitude doing what she needed to do for the team," Witt said.
Monroe will play three matches this week. After hosting Janesville Craig Monday, Monroe will host Evansville in a pink-out match on Tuesday. The Cheesemakers will then play at Reedsburg Thursday.
