JUDA - Two days after losing its first conference match of the season, Monticello came into Juda determined to right the ship before it was too late.
"It didn't feel good and was definitely weird to be on the other side," Ponies senior C.J. Dilley said of the loss. "We worked hard at practice (on Wednesday) because we knew we have a few tough teams coming up."
Monticello (9-1) lost to Black Hawk on Tuesday in four sets, but Thursday night against the Juda Panthers, the Ponies got after it from the gate, sweeping 25-16, 25-17, 25-20.
"We didn't play our best match on Tuesday, but we came in here ready to go," Monticello coach Teresa Eliason said. "I think we had put a lot of focus the week before against Argyle, and we were unfocused (against Black Hawk).
"They understood what's at stake," Eliason said of the conference title. "There was a little more passion, a little more excitement and intensity (on Thursday), which we had all season before Tuesday."
Juda coach Tara Lund knew how talented the Ponies were, and figured her team would have a 50/50 chance at catching Monticello off guard.
"I was thinking that it could go two different ways: They could either be down, or they would think they would have to prove themselves again," Lund said. "I think they had a little bit of added fire."
Not so the case. In Game 1, Monticello opened on a 10-5 run and the lead reached nine points at 17-8. In Game 2, Juda bounced back and held a 9-7 lead after a 6-1 run. Juda last led at 11-10 and trailed by just one point at 13-12 before the Ponies took off and closed the set on a 12-5 run.
"We had some really great spurts of working hard and doing some good things," Lund said. "Monticello is a very consistent team on their coverage and their hitting. That's where we lack, and that's what I thought the biggest difference was tonight."
The Panthers got up 6-2 on Monticello early in the third game, but the Ponies rumbled back, taking 11 of the next 14 points. A second mid-set run by Monticello had Juda down 23-13 before a late run that ended on senior Courtney Moisan's serve into the net.
"I think the seniors wanted to step up. This was the last time they will ever play in their home gym," Lund said. "I think in that third game, especially after I called the last timeout (down 21-13), I said 'You don't want to go out this way.' I think Courtney had some really huge hits at the end because I think she really wanted it."
Moisan led the Panthers with an ace and added five kills. C.J. Dunwiddie had six kills, Brittany Moe added five kills, Katlyn DeVoe recorded 10 digs and Morgan Kamholz dished out 19 assists for Juda.
Jordyn Kubly was Monticello's kills leader with eight and added two aces to boot. Marissa Berg and Amy Silver each had three blocks, Dilley notched 17 assists, Desiree Marty chipped in a pair of aces and Katie Gierhart added 10 digs.
"We knew we had to come in and be tough and redeem ourselves. I think we did that," Dilley said. "We have to go into each game with an open mind and not underestimate any team."
With just one full week of regular season play left, both teams are looking to finish strong.
"I think we're starting our second wind here. I think over the next two weeks we'll be ready," Eliason said, hinting at a potentially deep postseason run.
Monticello hosts Albany on Tuesday and Pecatonica Thursday. Juda is on the road both nights, traveling to Black Hawk on Tuesday and Albany Thursday.
"At this point we have to work with what we have, because we're down a couple from the start of the season," Lund said. "Those eight girls have to know that it has to be them, and the girls have to have that mentality."
"It didn't feel good and was definitely weird to be on the other side," Ponies senior C.J. Dilley said of the loss. "We worked hard at practice (on Wednesday) because we knew we have a few tough teams coming up."
Monticello (9-1) lost to Black Hawk on Tuesday in four sets, but Thursday night against the Juda Panthers, the Ponies got after it from the gate, sweeping 25-16, 25-17, 25-20.
"We didn't play our best match on Tuesday, but we came in here ready to go," Monticello coach Teresa Eliason said. "I think we had put a lot of focus the week before against Argyle, and we were unfocused (against Black Hawk).
"They understood what's at stake," Eliason said of the conference title. "There was a little more passion, a little more excitement and intensity (on Thursday), which we had all season before Tuesday."
Juda coach Tara Lund knew how talented the Ponies were, and figured her team would have a 50/50 chance at catching Monticello off guard.
"I was thinking that it could go two different ways: They could either be down, or they would think they would have to prove themselves again," Lund said. "I think they had a little bit of added fire."
Not so the case. In Game 1, Monticello opened on a 10-5 run and the lead reached nine points at 17-8. In Game 2, Juda bounced back and held a 9-7 lead after a 6-1 run. Juda last led at 11-10 and trailed by just one point at 13-12 before the Ponies took off and closed the set on a 12-5 run.
"We had some really great spurts of working hard and doing some good things," Lund said. "Monticello is a very consistent team on their coverage and their hitting. That's where we lack, and that's what I thought the biggest difference was tonight."
The Panthers got up 6-2 on Monticello early in the third game, but the Ponies rumbled back, taking 11 of the next 14 points. A second mid-set run by Monticello had Juda down 23-13 before a late run that ended on senior Courtney Moisan's serve into the net.
"I think the seniors wanted to step up. This was the last time they will ever play in their home gym," Lund said. "I think in that third game, especially after I called the last timeout (down 21-13), I said 'You don't want to go out this way.' I think Courtney had some really huge hits at the end because I think she really wanted it."
Moisan led the Panthers with an ace and added five kills. C.J. Dunwiddie had six kills, Brittany Moe added five kills, Katlyn DeVoe recorded 10 digs and Morgan Kamholz dished out 19 assists for Juda.
Jordyn Kubly was Monticello's kills leader with eight and added two aces to boot. Marissa Berg and Amy Silver each had three blocks, Dilley notched 17 assists, Desiree Marty chipped in a pair of aces and Katie Gierhart added 10 digs.
"We knew we had to come in and be tough and redeem ourselves. I think we did that," Dilley said. "We have to go into each game with an open mind and not underestimate any team."
With just one full week of regular season play left, both teams are looking to finish strong.
"I think we're starting our second wind here. I think over the next two weeks we'll be ready," Eliason said, hinting at a potentially deep postseason run.
Monticello hosts Albany on Tuesday and Pecatonica Thursday. Juda is on the road both nights, traveling to Black Hawk on Tuesday and Albany Thursday.
"At this point we have to work with what we have, because we're down a couple from the start of the season," Lund said. "Those eight girls have to know that it has to be them, and the girls have to have that mentality."
