ALBANY - The Monticello volleyball team capped the first half of the Six Rivers East schedule with a three-game win over Albany (25-21, 25-11, 25-21).
Despite the loss, Albany coach Connie Wunschel was pleased with how her team played, especially without senior Cassidy Bump, and she's hoping to see the Comets improve in the second half of conference play.
"(The team) played way better than they have been playing, but things we have to work on are the little things," Wunschel said. "We feel much better than we did in the beginning. Our goal is to get as close to .500 as we can or be a spoiler for the teams that are trying to do something in terms of conference."
Junior Felicia Conley led the Comets in assists with eight, senior Kirstie Kauk had nine digs and seven kills, and junior Ashley Berra recorded three blocks.
The Ponies were led by Alyssah Kubly who recorded seven aces and 23 service points (13 in the second game alone). Senior Amy Silver also recorded eight blocks, senior Jordan Kubly had seven kills, and junior Marissa Berg added five kills.
With the win, Monticello improved its conference record to 4-2, while the Comets fell to 1-5.
Albany begins the second half of conference play at home against Juda Thursday.
Wunschel is hoping to improve on their 3-1 loss to the Panthers earlier in the season.
"What we're looking for on Thursday is clean up the things that got us last time and come with a stronger attitude and challenge them on every point," she said.
As for the second half in general, Wunschel said she hopes to see the team build on what it has done so far this season.
"We started out pretty hot in our first couple of matches. The bottom fell out a couple of weeks ago. The last two matches ... we did play better," Wunschel said. "And that's what I'm asking those guys (to do), to continuously play better and improve on the little things."
Black Hawk 3, Juda 1
JUDA - Juda and Black Hawk wrapped up the first half of the Six Rivers East schedule Tuesday night with an exciting series of games. However, it was Black Hawk who came out on top with the road win in four games (25-16, 15-25, 25-16, 25-21).
"It was a long-fought match," Juda coach Tara Lund said. "A lot of volleys. We had some rare missed serves (in the first game). We played a lot better team ball in the second game."
The Panthers were led by senior Brittany Moe who recorded four aces and seven kills. Senior Cassie Benner led the team in blocks with three, senior Brianna Knudtson had 33 digs and junior Tabatha Davis notched 17 assists.
Lund said she was really impressed with Davis' play during the second-game win.
"Tabatha Davis hustles all over the place," Lund said. "When she's doing that, the team really backs her up. And in the second game, the team really backed up her effort."
After that second game, Lund said the team lost the momentum it had gained.
"We just got kind of deflated," she said. "We had some trouble with Jen (Wellnitz) at the net. Our reaction time wasn't as quick as it should be and can be."
Wellnitz, a junior, led the Warriors with 16 kills and two blocks. Senior Kelly Neuenschwander recorded four aces to go along with five assists.
The match marked the midpoint of conference play, with Black Hawk improving to 2-4 in the conference while Juda fell to 1-5.
However, now each team has played each other, and now it's time to adjust to what was experienced in the first half. Lund is excited for the Panthers going into the second half of the season.
"As a team we're really looking toward the second round where we pick it up," she said. "We've seen everybody, what they can do and what we can do."
Palmyra-Eagle 3, Brodhead 0
BRODHEAD - The Rock Valley South standings got a little bit tighter Tuesday night, as Brodhead fell to Palmyra-Eagle in three games (25-23, 25-18, 25-9).
With the loss, Brodhead falls to 2-2 in the conference, while Palmyra-Eagle improves to 2-2.
Having gone into the match with a winning record in the conference and with a strong practice earlier in the week, Brodhead coach Erin Kammerer saw the match as a disappointment.
"We didn't come to play tonight," Kammerer said. "Palmyra came ready to go, and our team wasn't ready to play. We didn't serve well, and our serve-receive was pretty weak tonight."
The Eagles were led by senior Megan Leanna who notched seven kills, 14 digs and three blocks as well as senior DaNae Giese who had 24 assists and seven aces.
For the Cardinals, junior Rachel Heller led the way with eight kills, sophomore Payton Wright notched 13 assists, sophomore Erin Kloepping had two aces, senior Heather Shanks had 11 digs, and senior Bri Hicks recorded a block.
Kammerer said she had been seeing improvement in her team recently and with the season not yet at the halfway point, she's looking to bounce back from Tuesday's loss and find a way to regain that edge.
"I thought we were stepping up," Kammerer said. "And after tonight, I think we're going to have to dig in and work a little harder."
Barneveld 3, Pecatonica 1
BLANCHARDVILLE - The Golden Eagles remained unbeaten in the Six Rivers East Conference after knocking off Pecatonica, 25-12, 21-25, 25-21, 25-11.
"Barneveld didn't make a whole lot of mistakes," Pecatonica coach Cher Schliem said. "We made a lot of mental and physical mistakes. I think we got away from our aggressive attack."
Barneveld's Rachel Slaney had 20 kills to lead the Eagles. Danielle Straubhaar racked up 36 assists and had 10 digs.
Pecatonica (4-7, 3-3 Six Rivers East) was led by senior Michelle Francois who had 32 digs and 17 assists. Senior Madeline Fischer had seven kills and junior Julia Meyer had three blocks.
Despite the loss, Albany coach Connie Wunschel was pleased with how her team played, especially without senior Cassidy Bump, and she's hoping to see the Comets improve in the second half of conference play.
"(The team) played way better than they have been playing, but things we have to work on are the little things," Wunschel said. "We feel much better than we did in the beginning. Our goal is to get as close to .500 as we can or be a spoiler for the teams that are trying to do something in terms of conference."
Junior Felicia Conley led the Comets in assists with eight, senior Kirstie Kauk had nine digs and seven kills, and junior Ashley Berra recorded three blocks.
The Ponies were led by Alyssah Kubly who recorded seven aces and 23 service points (13 in the second game alone). Senior Amy Silver also recorded eight blocks, senior Jordan Kubly had seven kills, and junior Marissa Berg added five kills.
With the win, Monticello improved its conference record to 4-2, while the Comets fell to 1-5.
Albany begins the second half of conference play at home against Juda Thursday.
Wunschel is hoping to improve on their 3-1 loss to the Panthers earlier in the season.
"What we're looking for on Thursday is clean up the things that got us last time and come with a stronger attitude and challenge them on every point," she said.
As for the second half in general, Wunschel said she hopes to see the team build on what it has done so far this season.
"We started out pretty hot in our first couple of matches. The bottom fell out a couple of weeks ago. The last two matches ... we did play better," Wunschel said. "And that's what I'm asking those guys (to do), to continuously play better and improve on the little things."
Black Hawk 3, Juda 1
JUDA - Juda and Black Hawk wrapped up the first half of the Six Rivers East schedule Tuesday night with an exciting series of games. However, it was Black Hawk who came out on top with the road win in four games (25-16, 15-25, 25-16, 25-21).
"It was a long-fought match," Juda coach Tara Lund said. "A lot of volleys. We had some rare missed serves (in the first game). We played a lot better team ball in the second game."
The Panthers were led by senior Brittany Moe who recorded four aces and seven kills. Senior Cassie Benner led the team in blocks with three, senior Brianna Knudtson had 33 digs and junior Tabatha Davis notched 17 assists.
Lund said she was really impressed with Davis' play during the second-game win.
"Tabatha Davis hustles all over the place," Lund said. "When she's doing that, the team really backs her up. And in the second game, the team really backed up her effort."
After that second game, Lund said the team lost the momentum it had gained.
"We just got kind of deflated," she said. "We had some trouble with Jen (Wellnitz) at the net. Our reaction time wasn't as quick as it should be and can be."
Wellnitz, a junior, led the Warriors with 16 kills and two blocks. Senior Kelly Neuenschwander recorded four aces to go along with five assists.
The match marked the midpoint of conference play, with Black Hawk improving to 2-4 in the conference while Juda fell to 1-5.
However, now each team has played each other, and now it's time to adjust to what was experienced in the first half. Lund is excited for the Panthers going into the second half of the season.
"As a team we're really looking toward the second round where we pick it up," she said. "We've seen everybody, what they can do and what we can do."
Palmyra-Eagle 3, Brodhead 0
BRODHEAD - The Rock Valley South standings got a little bit tighter Tuesday night, as Brodhead fell to Palmyra-Eagle in three games (25-23, 25-18, 25-9).
With the loss, Brodhead falls to 2-2 in the conference, while Palmyra-Eagle improves to 2-2.
Having gone into the match with a winning record in the conference and with a strong practice earlier in the week, Brodhead coach Erin Kammerer saw the match as a disappointment.
"We didn't come to play tonight," Kammerer said. "Palmyra came ready to go, and our team wasn't ready to play. We didn't serve well, and our serve-receive was pretty weak tonight."
The Eagles were led by senior Megan Leanna who notched seven kills, 14 digs and three blocks as well as senior DaNae Giese who had 24 assists and seven aces.
For the Cardinals, junior Rachel Heller led the way with eight kills, sophomore Payton Wright notched 13 assists, sophomore Erin Kloepping had two aces, senior Heather Shanks had 11 digs, and senior Bri Hicks recorded a block.
Kammerer said she had been seeing improvement in her team recently and with the season not yet at the halfway point, she's looking to bounce back from Tuesday's loss and find a way to regain that edge.
"I thought we were stepping up," Kammerer said. "And after tonight, I think we're going to have to dig in and work a little harder."
Barneveld 3, Pecatonica 1
BLANCHARDVILLE - The Golden Eagles remained unbeaten in the Six Rivers East Conference after knocking off Pecatonica, 25-12, 21-25, 25-21, 25-11.
"Barneveld didn't make a whole lot of mistakes," Pecatonica coach Cher Schliem said. "We made a lot of mental and physical mistakes. I think we got away from our aggressive attack."
Barneveld's Rachel Slaney had 20 kills to lead the Eagles. Danielle Straubhaar racked up 36 assists and had 10 digs.
Pecatonica (4-7, 3-3 Six Rivers East) was led by senior Michelle Francois who had 32 digs and 17 assists. Senior Madeline Fischer had seven kills and junior Julia Meyer had three blocks.
