MONTICELLO - No one would question the Black Hawk volleyball team's ability to finish matches after the Warriors hammered Monticello Tuesday in a three-game sweep.
Black Hawk (15-5-2, 9-0 Six Rivers East) rolled to a 25-12, 25-11, 25-7 win over Monticello, which extended their conference winning streak to 21 straight matches the last two years.
Black Hawk junior Kim Wellnitz delivered a knockout blow with 18 straight service points in the third game, including three aces to give the Warriors a 23-3 lead. Four kills by Black Hawk senior Paige Butler highlighted the run.
"I just didn't let it get to my head," Wellnitz said. "We had good digging in the back row and that helped too."
Wellnitz is confident about the Warriors, but she maintains a business-like approach.
"There are teams out there that can beat us if we don't play to our potential," Wellnitz said. "If we play as a team, we will do fine."
The Warriors jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first game with some aggressive blocking and play at the net. The Ponies (5-5 Six Rivers East) cut the Warriors' lead to 12-10, but that is as close as they would get.
In the second game, the Warriors surged to a 14-7 lead after two aces by senior Gabi Lehner. Lehner led the Warriors with a team-high 17 assists. Butler, who had 18 kills, used a powerful jump serve to seal the game with two aces.
Monticello coach Marian Anderson was disappointed the Ponies didn't battle back after struggling with service receive.
"Right now, I feel my team is lacking the passion for the game," Anderson said. "They lack passion to win. Individually, that is not always the case. They practice hard all week. They come into the game hoping to play them. They (Monticello) just panicked and shut down."
Lehner thinks the Warriors are still getting better.
"We just work really hard in practice and take it one game at a time," Lehner said. "Our passing is getting a lot better."
Black Hawk coach Rachel Wolff agreed.
"Tonight was one of our best nights passing all season long," Wolff said. "If you don't pass to the target, you don't have an offense at all."
Anderson doesn't see any magic formula that has made Black Hawk the team to beat as the Warriors are on the brink of their third straight Six Rivers East Conference title.
"I think they (Black Hawk) are an aggressive team, especially at the net," Anderson said. "They understand the game. They are always moving. Everyone always does their job on their team."
The Ponies were led by Courtney Erb with 14 assists and Sarah Silver with three blocks.
"I think Courtney did a good job setting," Anderson said. "She always gives 100 percent."
The Warriors can lock up their third straight conference title with a win against Pecatonica in South Wayne on Thursday.
"We have a lot of things to accomplish before that would even happen," Wolff said.
Monticello hosts Albany on
Black Hawk (15-5-2, 9-0 Six Rivers East) rolled to a 25-12, 25-11, 25-7 win over Monticello, which extended their conference winning streak to 21 straight matches the last two years.
Black Hawk junior Kim Wellnitz delivered a knockout blow with 18 straight service points in the third game, including three aces to give the Warriors a 23-3 lead. Four kills by Black Hawk senior Paige Butler highlighted the run.
"I just didn't let it get to my head," Wellnitz said. "We had good digging in the back row and that helped too."
Wellnitz is confident about the Warriors, but she maintains a business-like approach.
"There are teams out there that can beat us if we don't play to our potential," Wellnitz said. "If we play as a team, we will do fine."
The Warriors jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first game with some aggressive blocking and play at the net. The Ponies (5-5 Six Rivers East) cut the Warriors' lead to 12-10, but that is as close as they would get.
In the second game, the Warriors surged to a 14-7 lead after two aces by senior Gabi Lehner. Lehner led the Warriors with a team-high 17 assists. Butler, who had 18 kills, used a powerful jump serve to seal the game with two aces.
Monticello coach Marian Anderson was disappointed the Ponies didn't battle back after struggling with service receive.
"Right now, I feel my team is lacking the passion for the game," Anderson said. "They lack passion to win. Individually, that is not always the case. They practice hard all week. They come into the game hoping to play them. They (Monticello) just panicked and shut down."
Lehner thinks the Warriors are still getting better.
"We just work really hard in practice and take it one game at a time," Lehner said. "Our passing is getting a lot better."
Black Hawk coach Rachel Wolff agreed.
"Tonight was one of our best nights passing all season long," Wolff said. "If you don't pass to the target, you don't have an offense at all."
Anderson doesn't see any magic formula that has made Black Hawk the team to beat as the Warriors are on the brink of their third straight Six Rivers East Conference title.
"I think they (Black Hawk) are an aggressive team, especially at the net," Anderson said. "They understand the game. They are always moving. Everyone always does their job on their team."
The Ponies were led by Courtney Erb with 14 assists and Sarah Silver with three blocks.
"I think Courtney did a good job setting," Anderson said. "She always gives 100 percent."
The Warriors can lock up their third straight conference title with a win against Pecatonica in South Wayne on Thursday.
"We have a lot of things to accomplish before that would even happen," Wolff said.
Monticello hosts Albany on
