MONROE - Volleyball remains a rollercoaster game of emotions, filled with momentum swings.
The Monroe volleyball team seized the momentum by winning three straight matches to assure a third-place finish Saturday at the season-opening Monroe Invitational.
The Cheesemakers finished the invitational with a 3-2 record, punctuated by a developing chemistry on the floor.
"We have a little bit of a hill to get over," Monroe coach Dave Gersbach said, referencing a winless Badger South Conference season last year. "We have some demons to exercise."
Gersbach saw the Cheesemakers turn the corner Saturday.
"We are really coming into our own," he said. "The team is starting to click."
The Cheesemakers' winning streak began with a thrilling 23-25, 25-20, 15-10 win over Mineral Point. The defining moment in the decisive third game came when Monroe senior Marissa Ubert delivered five straight service points, including two aces.
Monroe junior Jamie Armstrong was dominant at the net with two kills to help the Cheesemakers jump to a 5-0 lead.
In a tight second game, a kill by Armstrong forced a sideout and cut the Pointers' lead to 18-17. Armstrong tied the game at 18 with a block. Monroe senior Kayla Streff scored five straight service points, including a pair of aces to give the Cheesemakers a 22-18 lead.
"It (winning) is what we have been working for all summer," Streff said. "This is what we have been practicing for. I think our team chemistry was a little better. We definitely stepped up."
The Cheesemakers are confident a third-place finish is just a springboard.
"We all really expect a lot out of each other," Armstrong said. "Obviously, we came in wanting to win all of them. We have confidence in each other. We hope for the best and will work our hardest."
Gersbach said for the first time this year the Cheesemakers ran their offense against Mineral Point. He challenged other players to step up.
"Jamie's a great player, but she can't do everything," Gersbach said. "They took advantage of every opportunity."
The Cheesemakers opened the invitational with a 25-14, 25-18 loss to eventual champion Wisconsin Heights.
Gersbach was surprised by the number of miscommunications against the Vanguards.
"When we are hesitating; there's that moment of question," Gersbach said. "We have to stay aggressive."
Reedsburg, which finished second at 4-1, dealt the Cheesemakers a tough loss, 26-24, 25-18.
The Cheesemakers also won matches against Baraboo and Madison West.
"We are heading in the right direction," Gersbach said.
The Monroe volleyball team seized the momentum by winning three straight matches to assure a third-place finish Saturday at the season-opening Monroe Invitational.
The Cheesemakers finished the invitational with a 3-2 record, punctuated by a developing chemistry on the floor.
"We have a little bit of a hill to get over," Monroe coach Dave Gersbach said, referencing a winless Badger South Conference season last year. "We have some demons to exercise."
Gersbach saw the Cheesemakers turn the corner Saturday.
"We are really coming into our own," he said. "The team is starting to click."
The Cheesemakers' winning streak began with a thrilling 23-25, 25-20, 15-10 win over Mineral Point. The defining moment in the decisive third game came when Monroe senior Marissa Ubert delivered five straight service points, including two aces.
Monroe junior Jamie Armstrong was dominant at the net with two kills to help the Cheesemakers jump to a 5-0 lead.
In a tight second game, a kill by Armstrong forced a sideout and cut the Pointers' lead to 18-17. Armstrong tied the game at 18 with a block. Monroe senior Kayla Streff scored five straight service points, including a pair of aces to give the Cheesemakers a 22-18 lead.
"It (winning) is what we have been working for all summer," Streff said. "This is what we have been practicing for. I think our team chemistry was a little better. We definitely stepped up."
The Cheesemakers are confident a third-place finish is just a springboard.
"We all really expect a lot out of each other," Armstrong said. "Obviously, we came in wanting to win all of them. We have confidence in each other. We hope for the best and will work our hardest."
Gersbach said for the first time this year the Cheesemakers ran their offense against Mineral Point. He challenged other players to step up.
"Jamie's a great player, but she can't do everything," Gersbach said. "They took advantage of every opportunity."
The Cheesemakers opened the invitational with a 25-14, 25-18 loss to eventual champion Wisconsin Heights.
Gersbach was surprised by the number of miscommunications against the Vanguards.
"When we are hesitating; there's that moment of question," Gersbach said. "We have to stay aggressive."
Reedsburg, which finished second at 4-1, dealt the Cheesemakers a tough loss, 26-24, 25-18.
The Cheesemakers also won matches against Baraboo and Madison West.
"We are heading in the right direction," Gersbach said.
