ARGYLE - Volleyball fans got their money's worth as Monticello edged Argyle in a four-set Six Rivers East Conference showdown Thursday.
Monticello (14-2, 10-0 Six Rivers East) beat Argyle in a thriller 25-18, 25-27, 26-24, 27-25 to clinch at least a share of the conference championship. It's the second straight conference title for the Ponies, who have won three of the last four conference crowns.
Monticello senior Paige Dilley delivered a kill in the final set to put the finishing touches on the Orioles, who dropped to 11-5, 8-2.
"It feels amazing," said Monticello senior Alyssah Kubly, who had a match-high 20 kills and four aces. "No matter what, Argyle is a tough team. We always have a tough time playing them. It feels great to win the conference championship. The team set goals at the beginning of the year. Winning the conference was our first goal on that list."
Monticello coach Scott Smice was excited the Ponies pulled out the win, but he's aware there is still unfinished business with two more conference matches.
"The girls want to go undefeated and win it outright," Smice said. "I knew it would be exciting and that is how it played out. I couldn't be any prouder of my girls. It could have been 3-1 the other way as close as the games were. It's unfortunate someone has to lose. That is the way it is."
The Ponies started with a bang, building an 11-5 lead. Dilley, who had 14 kills, had a spike late in the first set to give the Ponies a 14-7 lead. Monticello senior Brecklyn Klosterman had a kill and Kubly had two kills to help the Ponies cruise to a 25-18 win in the first set.
It wouldn't come as easy for the Ponies in the second set. The Ponies were plagued by four service errors. Kubly scored on a tip to give the Ponies a 21-18 lead late in the set. The Orioles answered with senior outside hitter Hannah Saalsaa coming through with a kill to give the Orioles their first lead in the match 23-22. Kubly responded with a kill to tie the set at 23. Saalsaa had a clutch kill to tie the set at 24. After a long hit out by the Ponies, Argyle senior Jenna Langmeier had a kill to win the second set for the Orioles.
"They didn't give up or let down even though we were down," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "I'm very proud of them. They have to keep their heads up. The season is not over."
Kubly and Dilley helped spark the Ponies to a 20-16 lead in the third set. The Orioles battled back with Langmeier getting hot at the net, delivering four kills to help the Orioles storm back to take a 22-21 lead. The Orioles had the game-point twice in the third set, but couldn't close it out. Kubly scored on a tip to tie the set at 24 and then the Orioles hit a long spike out of bounds. Dilley delivered a critical ace to lift the Ponies.
The final set was a mirror image of the third set. However, the Ponies turned to tips and sets to pressure the Oriole's defense. Klosterman set the ball over the Orioles' front row and found an open hole to give the Ponies a 21-18 lead. Monticello senior Jordan Garrison also scored on a perfectly placed set to give the Ponies a 22-18 lead. The Orioles wouldn't go away. Argyle freshman Ashley Bruehlman, who had a team-high five aces, scored four straight points and had one ace, to help the Orioles rally to take a 23-22 lead. Langmeier had a kill and a set to score points during the run. Klosterman and Dilley each had kills late in the final set to seal the win for the Ponies.
"We watched the film of our first match and the middle part of the floor was exposed sometimes," Smice said. "We talked about that. With all of the emotion, excitement and drama they thought hits would be the final decision. We had some sets, but there was a hit at the end. I think when you have two equally matched hitting and blocking teams you have to try to find a different way to score."
Garrison racked up 39 assists for the Ponies.
"When our passing is great our setting is great and our hitting is usually really good," Kubly said. "Each player on the team had a hand in this win."
Butler said the Orioles must continue to limit the unforced errors.
"We just couldn't get to that (set) like we should have," she said. "Most teams have the middle of the court open."
Langmeier had 18 kills and a match-high 41 digs. Sophomore teammate Kayla Butler-Paulson had 38 assists. The Orioles are still developing a dangerous hitter in Bruehlman.
"I'm very surprised with how well she has improved," Butler said of Bruehlman. "She's working really hard with her swing to get more consistent. She's still growing."
Butler was pleased with the play of Saalsaa attacking the net and her work on serve receive.
"She stepped it up and really had some strong serves," Butler said.
Butler said junior libero Katrina Carter also had a dual role as she was subbed in for two players.
"She went in double the amount of times to strengthen our back row," she said.
The win may have come at a cost for the Ponies. Monticello senior Mackenzie Zanow suffered an ankle injury and had to be lifted off the court.
"She's probably done for the year," Smice said of Zanow. "We will have to shuffle our lineup and move some girls around again."
Monticello (14-2, 10-0 Six Rivers East) beat Argyle in a thriller 25-18, 25-27, 26-24, 27-25 to clinch at least a share of the conference championship. It's the second straight conference title for the Ponies, who have won three of the last four conference crowns.
Monticello senior Paige Dilley delivered a kill in the final set to put the finishing touches on the Orioles, who dropped to 11-5, 8-2.
"It feels amazing," said Monticello senior Alyssah Kubly, who had a match-high 20 kills and four aces. "No matter what, Argyle is a tough team. We always have a tough time playing them. It feels great to win the conference championship. The team set goals at the beginning of the year. Winning the conference was our first goal on that list."
Monticello coach Scott Smice was excited the Ponies pulled out the win, but he's aware there is still unfinished business with two more conference matches.
"The girls want to go undefeated and win it outright," Smice said. "I knew it would be exciting and that is how it played out. I couldn't be any prouder of my girls. It could have been 3-1 the other way as close as the games were. It's unfortunate someone has to lose. That is the way it is."
The Ponies started with a bang, building an 11-5 lead. Dilley, who had 14 kills, had a spike late in the first set to give the Ponies a 14-7 lead. Monticello senior Brecklyn Klosterman had a kill and Kubly had two kills to help the Ponies cruise to a 25-18 win in the first set.
It wouldn't come as easy for the Ponies in the second set. The Ponies were plagued by four service errors. Kubly scored on a tip to give the Ponies a 21-18 lead late in the set. The Orioles answered with senior outside hitter Hannah Saalsaa coming through with a kill to give the Orioles their first lead in the match 23-22. Kubly responded with a kill to tie the set at 23. Saalsaa had a clutch kill to tie the set at 24. After a long hit out by the Ponies, Argyle senior Jenna Langmeier had a kill to win the second set for the Orioles.
"They didn't give up or let down even though we were down," Argyle coach Jen Butler said. "I'm very proud of them. They have to keep their heads up. The season is not over."
Kubly and Dilley helped spark the Ponies to a 20-16 lead in the third set. The Orioles battled back with Langmeier getting hot at the net, delivering four kills to help the Orioles storm back to take a 22-21 lead. The Orioles had the game-point twice in the third set, but couldn't close it out. Kubly scored on a tip to tie the set at 24 and then the Orioles hit a long spike out of bounds. Dilley delivered a critical ace to lift the Ponies.
The final set was a mirror image of the third set. However, the Ponies turned to tips and sets to pressure the Oriole's defense. Klosterman set the ball over the Orioles' front row and found an open hole to give the Ponies a 21-18 lead. Monticello senior Jordan Garrison also scored on a perfectly placed set to give the Ponies a 22-18 lead. The Orioles wouldn't go away. Argyle freshman Ashley Bruehlman, who had a team-high five aces, scored four straight points and had one ace, to help the Orioles rally to take a 23-22 lead. Langmeier had a kill and a set to score points during the run. Klosterman and Dilley each had kills late in the final set to seal the win for the Ponies.
"We watched the film of our first match and the middle part of the floor was exposed sometimes," Smice said. "We talked about that. With all of the emotion, excitement and drama they thought hits would be the final decision. We had some sets, but there was a hit at the end. I think when you have two equally matched hitting and blocking teams you have to try to find a different way to score."
Garrison racked up 39 assists for the Ponies.
"When our passing is great our setting is great and our hitting is usually really good," Kubly said. "Each player on the team had a hand in this win."
Butler said the Orioles must continue to limit the unforced errors.
"We just couldn't get to that (set) like we should have," she said. "Most teams have the middle of the court open."
Langmeier had 18 kills and a match-high 41 digs. Sophomore teammate Kayla Butler-Paulson had 38 assists. The Orioles are still developing a dangerous hitter in Bruehlman.
"I'm very surprised with how well she has improved," Butler said of Bruehlman. "She's working really hard with her swing to get more consistent. She's still growing."
Butler was pleased with the play of Saalsaa attacking the net and her work on serve receive.
"She stepped it up and really had some strong serves," Butler said.
Butler said junior libero Katrina Carter also had a dual role as she was subbed in for two players.
"She went in double the amount of times to strengthen our back row," she said.
The win may have come at a cost for the Ponies. Monticello senior Mackenzie Zanow suffered an ankle injury and had to be lifted off the court.
"She's probably done for the year," Smice said of Zanow. "We will have to shuffle our lineup and move some girls around again."
