BRODHEAD - Monroe volleyball coach Danya Ward knew a change was in store after she watched Oregon players hit the ball down the line in a match last week.
So Ward had the Cheesemakers switch from a 5-1 to a 6-2 set. A 5-1 lineup includes just one setter that is called on to set from the front and back row. A 6-2 lineup uses two setters in the back row. The new lineup paid off as the Cheesemakers finished third in the gold bracket at the Brodhead Invitational Saturday.
"We needed to put up a stronger block after Oregon," Ward said. "It seemed like they saw the advantage in hitting over the shorter setter blocking on the right side. We wanted to take some of the pressure off Heather (Barta)."
The Cheesemakers went 2-2 in four games against Argyle and Lake Mills in pool play. The top eight teams then advanced and played a crossover match against a team from another pool to determine who would go to gold, silver and bronze bracket play. Monroe knocked off Brodhead 23-25, 25-9, 15-9. Monroe then lost to eventual champion Madison Memorial 24-26, 21-25. The Cheesemakers then beat New Glarus for third place 26-25, 25-20.
Monroe junior Taylor Barrett racked up 35 kills and seven blocks in the tournament. Senior Heather Bartahad 62 assists and 10 aces. Senior Becca Armstrong added 19 kills and seven aces. Senior Ashley Curtis had 24 digs.
"We lost some winnable matches," Ward said. "We played a lot better. We got third at a 12-team tournament."
Brodhead coach Erin Kammerer had high expectations, but settled for seventh place.
"Our goal was to be able to play in the gold bracket," she said. "Coming up a little short was a little disappointing. It took some of the wind out of our sails and I think that is why we lost to Belleville."
Monticello took second in the tournament. The Ponies went 3-1 in games during pool play - splitting with Belleville and sweeping Evansville. Monticello then defeated Juda 25-17, 25-14 to get into gold bracket play.
The Ponies pulled out a win over New Glarus 18-25, 25-23, 15-6. Madison Memorial then edged the Ponies 25-23, 25-17 for the title.
"Once we made it out of pool play, I thought we had a chance to win it," Monticello coach Scott Smice said. "Most of the teams were in divisions higher than we are. I'm very happy with the result."
Monticello senior Jordyn Kubly had 33 kills in the tournament. Junior Marissa Berg racked up 25 kills and 17 blocks. Sophomore Alyssah Kubly had 15 kills and eight blocks. Paige Dilley also added 15 kills for the Ponies. Junior Clare Bruns had a team-high 57 assists.
"We started out kind of slow and then later a switch clicked and we started serving and hitting the ball aggressively," Smice said.
Brodhead swept four sets in pool play against New Glarus and Albany. The Cardinals then lost a crossover match to the Cheesemakers. In silver bracket play, the Cardinals lost to Belleville 18-25, 23-25, 8-15.
Brodhead rebounded and beat Juda 25-10, 25-10 for seventh place.
"I think we started out strong," Kammerer said. "We just need to know how to play when we get late and finish it."
Brodhead junior rachel Heller powered the Cardinals with 27 kills and 19 digs. Heather Shanks had 27 kills and 18 digs. Sophomore Payton Wright had 62 assits and Abby Flesher had five aces.
Whitewater won the bronze bracket. Albany finished 10th and Argyle was 11th. Albany lost all four sets in pool play and then defeated Argyle 25-15, 25-20. Whitewater then defeated the Comets 25-19, 25-22. Argyle beat Evansville 25-22, 25-14 to take 11th place.
So Ward had the Cheesemakers switch from a 5-1 to a 6-2 set. A 5-1 lineup includes just one setter that is called on to set from the front and back row. A 6-2 lineup uses two setters in the back row. The new lineup paid off as the Cheesemakers finished third in the gold bracket at the Brodhead Invitational Saturday.
"We needed to put up a stronger block after Oregon," Ward said. "It seemed like they saw the advantage in hitting over the shorter setter blocking on the right side. We wanted to take some of the pressure off Heather (Barta)."
The Cheesemakers went 2-2 in four games against Argyle and Lake Mills in pool play. The top eight teams then advanced and played a crossover match against a team from another pool to determine who would go to gold, silver and bronze bracket play. Monroe knocked off Brodhead 23-25, 25-9, 15-9. Monroe then lost to eventual champion Madison Memorial 24-26, 21-25. The Cheesemakers then beat New Glarus for third place 26-25, 25-20.
Monroe junior Taylor Barrett racked up 35 kills and seven blocks in the tournament. Senior Heather Bartahad 62 assists and 10 aces. Senior Becca Armstrong added 19 kills and seven aces. Senior Ashley Curtis had 24 digs.
"We lost some winnable matches," Ward said. "We played a lot better. We got third at a 12-team tournament."
Brodhead coach Erin Kammerer had high expectations, but settled for seventh place.
"Our goal was to be able to play in the gold bracket," she said. "Coming up a little short was a little disappointing. It took some of the wind out of our sails and I think that is why we lost to Belleville."
Monticello took second in the tournament. The Ponies went 3-1 in games during pool play - splitting with Belleville and sweeping Evansville. Monticello then defeated Juda 25-17, 25-14 to get into gold bracket play.
The Ponies pulled out a win over New Glarus 18-25, 25-23, 15-6. Madison Memorial then edged the Ponies 25-23, 25-17 for the title.
"Once we made it out of pool play, I thought we had a chance to win it," Monticello coach Scott Smice said. "Most of the teams were in divisions higher than we are. I'm very happy with the result."
Monticello senior Jordyn Kubly had 33 kills in the tournament. Junior Marissa Berg racked up 25 kills and 17 blocks. Sophomore Alyssah Kubly had 15 kills and eight blocks. Paige Dilley also added 15 kills for the Ponies. Junior Clare Bruns had a team-high 57 assists.
"We started out kind of slow and then later a switch clicked and we started serving and hitting the ball aggressively," Smice said.
Brodhead swept four sets in pool play against New Glarus and Albany. The Cardinals then lost a crossover match to the Cheesemakers. In silver bracket play, the Cardinals lost to Belleville 18-25, 23-25, 8-15.
Brodhead rebounded and beat Juda 25-10, 25-10 for seventh place.
"I think we started out strong," Kammerer said. "We just need to know how to play when we get late and finish it."
Brodhead junior rachel Heller powered the Cardinals with 27 kills and 19 digs. Heather Shanks had 27 kills and 18 digs. Sophomore Payton Wright had 62 assits and Abby Flesher had five aces.
Whitewater won the bronze bracket. Albany finished 10th and Argyle was 11th. Albany lost all four sets in pool play and then defeated Argyle 25-15, 25-20. Whitewater then defeated the Comets 25-19, 25-22. Argyle beat Evansville 25-22, 25-14 to take 11th place.
