ARGYLE - When Argyle senior Ashley Bruehlman got her power serve going in the second set of a WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal match against Monticello, there was no stopping the Orioles.
Bruehlman had a match-high 11 aces and 12 digs to lead Argyle to a 25-18, 25-8, 25-13 win over Monticello Tuesday. After a tight first set the Orioles survived, Bruehlman set the tone in the second set with five straight service points and three aces during the spurt to give the Orioles an 8-0 lead. Bruehlman ended the second set with seven straight service points and four aces to lift the Orioles.
"I think we were strong serving after the first set," Bruehlman, who will play volleyball for Division II Minnesota State University, Mankato next year. "That really got our offense going. Without them (aces) we would not have had as many points."
It's the third time this year Argyle has beat Monticello. With the win, Argyle (16-6) advances and will host Fall River in a regional semifinal match Thursday.
"It feels so good," Bruehlman said. "We struggled a little bit in the beginning. I was really proud of our team and how we picked it up and got the momentum on our side. I honestly knew coming into this match it would be tougher because it's hard to beat a team three times especially when everyone wants it so bad."
Monticello coach Scott Smice liked the way his young team competed in the first set, but he knew they couldn't keep the Orioles down the final match. The first set was tied at 18 before the Orioles closed the first set with senior Morgan Nelson delivering five consecutive service points and two aces to help the Orioles pull out the victory.
"We came out fired up," Smice said. "We had a game plan and we stuck to it the way we wanted to a T for three-fourths of the first set. We wanted to keep the ball alive and get them going in transition and have a good block. You are not going to keep a team like Argyle down the entire game. They have some big guns and hitters. I think we woke up a sleeping giant in the second set."
Argyle junior Jena Saalsaa had 15 kills and two blocks. Junior teammate Kirsten Ostby dished out 26 assists.
"We didn't start out the way we wanted to," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "It was good to see them pick it up at the end of the first game and carry it over to the second and third games."
The start of the final set was almost a repeat of the second set. The Orioles jumped out to a 7-1 lead. However, this time, the Ponies bounced back. Monticello freshman Mackenzie Errthum scored on a tip later to cut the Orioles' lead to 14-9. Then, Monticello senior Alaya Hummel came through with an ace to slice the Orioles' lead to 14-10. That is as close as the Ponies would get.
Hummel and junior Hannah Zanow had four kills each for the Ponies. Junior teammate Alyssen Noriega racked up 24 digs. Sophomore Miah Brokopp had a team-high 12 assists and junior Lindsey Pence had 11 assists.
Bruehlman answered with five straight service points and three aces and Saalsaa had a kill moments later to extend Argyle's lead to 22-11.
"The big difference was we couldn't handle their floating serves in the second and third games," Smice said. "I thought we matched up well on the block and defensively I thought we were pretty good. They have some powerful kids. I look for them to go to the regional championship game and maybe beyond."
Serving to certain spots is one area the Orioles wok to perfect in practice. Butler often gives her players the freedom to attack open areas while they are serving on their own.
"For the most part, they pick where they want to go," Butler said of the serves. "I may give them a zone sometimes. They are pretty smart about where to serve."
Butler saw a couple of big differences in the final two sets besides the serving.
"The ball control was better and our passing was there," she said. "We were able to speed up the offense."
Argyle will now turn its attention to gearing up for Fall River on Thursday.
"I expect them to be tough," Butler said. "We just have to make sure we are playing our own game."
Monticello has just one senior so most of their team will return next year. Smice hopes the experience against the Orioles in the postseason pays dividends down the line.
"We are a young team with not as much experience," he said. "I thought from the start of the season to the end was a night and day difference. I feel like they will come back with more of a chip on their shoulder next year."
Bruehlman had a match-high 11 aces and 12 digs to lead Argyle to a 25-18, 25-8, 25-13 win over Monticello Tuesday. After a tight first set the Orioles survived, Bruehlman set the tone in the second set with five straight service points and three aces during the spurt to give the Orioles an 8-0 lead. Bruehlman ended the second set with seven straight service points and four aces to lift the Orioles.
"I think we were strong serving after the first set," Bruehlman, who will play volleyball for Division II Minnesota State University, Mankato next year. "That really got our offense going. Without them (aces) we would not have had as many points."
It's the third time this year Argyle has beat Monticello. With the win, Argyle (16-6) advances and will host Fall River in a regional semifinal match Thursday.
"It feels so good," Bruehlman said. "We struggled a little bit in the beginning. I was really proud of our team and how we picked it up and got the momentum on our side. I honestly knew coming into this match it would be tougher because it's hard to beat a team three times especially when everyone wants it so bad."
Monticello coach Scott Smice liked the way his young team competed in the first set, but he knew they couldn't keep the Orioles down the final match. The first set was tied at 18 before the Orioles closed the first set with senior Morgan Nelson delivering five consecutive service points and two aces to help the Orioles pull out the victory.
"We came out fired up," Smice said. "We had a game plan and we stuck to it the way we wanted to a T for three-fourths of the first set. We wanted to keep the ball alive and get them going in transition and have a good block. You are not going to keep a team like Argyle down the entire game. They have some big guns and hitters. I think we woke up a sleeping giant in the second set."
Argyle junior Jena Saalsaa had 15 kills and two blocks. Junior teammate Kirsten Ostby dished out 26 assists.
"We didn't start out the way we wanted to," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "It was good to see them pick it up at the end of the first game and carry it over to the second and third games."
The start of the final set was almost a repeat of the second set. The Orioles jumped out to a 7-1 lead. However, this time, the Ponies bounced back. Monticello freshman Mackenzie Errthum scored on a tip later to cut the Orioles' lead to 14-9. Then, Monticello senior Alaya Hummel came through with an ace to slice the Orioles' lead to 14-10. That is as close as the Ponies would get.
Hummel and junior Hannah Zanow had four kills each for the Ponies. Junior teammate Alyssen Noriega racked up 24 digs. Sophomore Miah Brokopp had a team-high 12 assists and junior Lindsey Pence had 11 assists.
Bruehlman answered with five straight service points and three aces and Saalsaa had a kill moments later to extend Argyle's lead to 22-11.
"The big difference was we couldn't handle their floating serves in the second and third games," Smice said. "I thought we matched up well on the block and defensively I thought we were pretty good. They have some powerful kids. I look for them to go to the regional championship game and maybe beyond."
Serving to certain spots is one area the Orioles wok to perfect in practice. Butler often gives her players the freedom to attack open areas while they are serving on their own.
"For the most part, they pick where they want to go," Butler said of the serves. "I may give them a zone sometimes. They are pretty smart about where to serve."
Butler saw a couple of big differences in the final two sets besides the serving.
"The ball control was better and our passing was there," she said. "We were able to speed up the offense."
Argyle will now turn its attention to gearing up for Fall River on Thursday.
"I expect them to be tough," Butler said. "We just have to make sure we are playing our own game."
Monticello has just one senior so most of their team will return next year. Smice hopes the experience against the Orioles in the postseason pays dividends down the line.
"We are a young team with not as much experience," he said. "I thought from the start of the season to the end was a night and day difference. I feel like they will come back with more of a chip on their shoulder next year."
