BARNEVELD - The Monticello Ponies showed off their no-quit attitude Thursday night, defeating the Six Rivers East-leading Barneveld Eagles in five games (24-26, 26-24, 22-25, 25-21, 15-9) and splitting the season series.
The Ponies (7-2) lost to the Eagles (8-1) in three games earlier this season. The difference this time around?
"I think we're more aggressive in every aspect of the game," Monticello coach Scott Smice said. "They're playing well, they're communicating very good on the floor. They're like family ... they now believe in each other."
The tone for the night was set early, with the teams going back and forth for much of the first game. At one point, Monticello was down six points but came back to tie the score at 24.
Smice said that gave the team momentum going into game two. However, Barneveld turned the tables and fought back before Monticello sealed the game. After another seesaw battle in game three ultimately went to Barneveld, the Ponies needed a win to extend the match. Smice said his team didn't give up.
"The girls were upbeat in game four and didn't quit," he said. "You could see it in the girls' eyes and faces."
Monticello won another close game in game four and carried the momentum through the decisive fifth game to capture the match win.
Marissa Berg and Jordyn Kubly led Monticello with 12 kills apiece. Sophomore Alyssah Kubly added eight kills, and sophomore Paige Dilley had seven. Senior Amy Silver added three kills of her own, to go along with five blocks. Junior Claire Bruns led the team in assists with 37.
Smice said he has been very happy with Bruns' play lately.
"She's taking control of the team, and she's acting like the leader out there," he said. "She's making smart decisions."
The conference win makes five straight for Monticello, who will travel to face Argyle on Tuesday.
Smice is looking to keep the winning streak rolling and the energy up.
"Hopefully we haven't peaked yet, because we want to continue climbing the ladder toward the regional," he said.
Pec 3, Juda 2
JUDA - Pecatonica senior Michelle Francois led the Vikings to a five-game win over the Panthers.
Francois racked up 43 digs and 26 assists as the Vikings defeated the Panthers 25-23, 18-25, 25-16, 24-26, 15-10.
"It was a real battle the whole game," Juda coach Tara Lund said. "We had some amazing stretches. We have to play every game like it's game-point. We have to keep that intensity up the whole game."
Pecatonica senior Lizzy Britt had nine kills and five aces. Julia Meyer and Ashley Johnsen added two blocks each.
Juda senior Brianna Knudtson had a match-high 44 digs. Senior Miranda Trotter had eight kills, and junior Jessica Jordan had four blocks. Junior Tabatha Davis notched 13 digs. With the loss, Juda drops to 1-7 in the Six Rivers East.
Big Foot 3, Brodhead 0
BRODHEAD - The Cardinals lost a Rock Valley South showdown to the Chiefs in three games.
Big Foot dispatched Brodhead 25-13, 25-15, 25-10. Brodhead senior Heather Shanks had five kills, sophomore Payton Wright notched 11 assists and Amber Pickel racked up 12 digs.
The Ponies (7-2) lost to the Eagles (8-1) in three games earlier this season. The difference this time around?
"I think we're more aggressive in every aspect of the game," Monticello coach Scott Smice said. "They're playing well, they're communicating very good on the floor. They're like family ... they now believe in each other."
The tone for the night was set early, with the teams going back and forth for much of the first game. At one point, Monticello was down six points but came back to tie the score at 24.
Smice said that gave the team momentum going into game two. However, Barneveld turned the tables and fought back before Monticello sealed the game. After another seesaw battle in game three ultimately went to Barneveld, the Ponies needed a win to extend the match. Smice said his team didn't give up.
"The girls were upbeat in game four and didn't quit," he said. "You could see it in the girls' eyes and faces."
Monticello won another close game in game four and carried the momentum through the decisive fifth game to capture the match win.
Marissa Berg and Jordyn Kubly led Monticello with 12 kills apiece. Sophomore Alyssah Kubly added eight kills, and sophomore Paige Dilley had seven. Senior Amy Silver added three kills of her own, to go along with five blocks. Junior Claire Bruns led the team in assists with 37.
Smice said he has been very happy with Bruns' play lately.
"She's taking control of the team, and she's acting like the leader out there," he said. "She's making smart decisions."
The conference win makes five straight for Monticello, who will travel to face Argyle on Tuesday.
Smice is looking to keep the winning streak rolling and the energy up.
"Hopefully we haven't peaked yet, because we want to continue climbing the ladder toward the regional," he said.
Pec 3, Juda 2
JUDA - Pecatonica senior Michelle Francois led the Vikings to a five-game win over the Panthers.
Francois racked up 43 digs and 26 assists as the Vikings defeated the Panthers 25-23, 18-25, 25-16, 24-26, 15-10.
"It was a real battle the whole game," Juda coach Tara Lund said. "We had some amazing stretches. We have to play every game like it's game-point. We have to keep that intensity up the whole game."
Pecatonica senior Lizzy Britt had nine kills and five aces. Julia Meyer and Ashley Johnsen added two blocks each.
Juda senior Brianna Knudtson had a match-high 44 digs. Senior Miranda Trotter had eight kills, and junior Jessica Jordan had four blocks. Junior Tabatha Davis notched 13 digs. With the loss, Juda drops to 1-7 in the Six Rivers East.
Big Foot 3, Brodhead 0
BRODHEAD - The Cardinals lost a Rock Valley South showdown to the Chiefs in three games.
Big Foot dispatched Brodhead 25-13, 25-15, 25-10. Brodhead senior Heather Shanks had five kills, sophomore Payton Wright notched 11 assists and Amber Pickel racked up 12 digs.
