MONTICELLO - The Monticello volleyball team made plays when it needed them the most to pull out a three-game win Tuesday over Juda.
Monticello (6-12, 3-3 Six Rivers East) rallied to win the second and third games to complete the sweep of the Panthers, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21.
"I think we came in underestimating Juda," Monticello coach Marian Anderson said. "They (the Ponies) came to play, but they left the energy in the locker room."
Juda (2-11, 0-6) jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first game. Monticello senior Mary Hershberger's strong powerful serving jump-started the Ponies, giving them an 8-5 lead they would never relinquish.
The Panthers got on a roll in the third game in trying to stave off elimination. Juda senior Katie Bundy delivered six straight service points to give the Panthers a 15-10 lead after a kill by junior Heather Boeke.
"I wish I had a pill I could give them to give them confidence," Juda coach Pam Green said. "A couple of things go wrong and they think it's over."
Monticello senior Rachel Nelson, who had five aces, engineered a comeback with three straight points including an ace to tie the game at 19. Monticello senior Nicole Smith recorded an ace and then a critical net violation by Juda gave the Ponies a 23-20 lead.
"We really stepped it up in the end," Hershberger said. "We didn't really want to lose at all. We stepped up our game."
Hershberger, who led the Ponies with 18 service points, takes pride in her serving.
"I think it's not how hard you hit it, it's the spot you put it," she said.
Sarah Silver and Taylor Pfeuti added five kills each for the Ponies.
The Ponies played without senior hitter Emma Fenner, who injured her ankle at a tournament last week.
Anderson said she hopes to have Fenner back next week.
Juda senior setter McKenzie Swaag had a team-high 11 assists and senior Sam Strothman had 10 digs.
Green had a team meeting with players last week and she knows the Panthers have the talent and ability on the floor. Developing a consistency in making plays in the crunch is still a goal. Finishing games off with leads comes with confidence.
"Some kids come ready to play, some don't," Green said. "It's been kind of a see-saw with these kids."
Monticello (6-12, 3-3 Six Rivers East) rallied to win the second and third games to complete the sweep of the Panthers, 25-15, 25-22, 25-21.
"I think we came in underestimating Juda," Monticello coach Marian Anderson said. "They (the Ponies) came to play, but they left the energy in the locker room."
Juda (2-11, 0-6) jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first game. Monticello senior Mary Hershberger's strong powerful serving jump-started the Ponies, giving them an 8-5 lead they would never relinquish.
The Panthers got on a roll in the third game in trying to stave off elimination. Juda senior Katie Bundy delivered six straight service points to give the Panthers a 15-10 lead after a kill by junior Heather Boeke.
"I wish I had a pill I could give them to give them confidence," Juda coach Pam Green said. "A couple of things go wrong and they think it's over."
Monticello senior Rachel Nelson, who had five aces, engineered a comeback with three straight points including an ace to tie the game at 19. Monticello senior Nicole Smith recorded an ace and then a critical net violation by Juda gave the Ponies a 23-20 lead.
"We really stepped it up in the end," Hershberger said. "We didn't really want to lose at all. We stepped up our game."
Hershberger, who led the Ponies with 18 service points, takes pride in her serving.
"I think it's not how hard you hit it, it's the spot you put it," she said.
Sarah Silver and Taylor Pfeuti added five kills each for the Ponies.
The Ponies played without senior hitter Emma Fenner, who injured her ankle at a tournament last week.
Anderson said she hopes to have Fenner back next week.
Juda senior setter McKenzie Swaag had a team-high 11 assists and senior Sam Strothman had 10 digs.
Green had a team meeting with players last week and she knows the Panthers have the talent and ability on the floor. Developing a consistency in making plays in the crunch is still a goal. Finishing games off with leads comes with confidence.
"Some kids come ready to play, some don't," Green said. "It's been kind of a see-saw with these kids."
