Panthers sweep Northeast in River Valley opener

     Monticello got off to an encouraging start in the River Valley Conference volleyball schedule, traveling to Goose Lake and sweeping Northeast 25-14, 25-14, 25-15.

     The match was held Thursday, Aug. 31.

     Opening the RVC schedule on the road didn’t seem to faze the Panthers (1-0, 5-2).

     “I think once they hit the court they are ready to compete, which is awesome,” Monticello coach Stacie Breitbach said.

     All three sets were close for a while, with both teams in the 10 to 12-point range, but Monticello pulled away each time.

     “We remained aggressive throughout the match,” the coach said. “Overall, it was a good first conference win.”

     Monticello put up impressive numbers both offensively and defensively. The Panthers had 36 kills, led by Jordan Kuper with 13, Shalay Bronemann with eight and Lauren Ries with seven. Maddie Lambert racked up 29 assists.

     But the Panthers were strong defensively as well, with 40 total digs and 11 blocks. Ries had 10 digs, Kremer totaled nine, Macy McDonough had seven and Maddie Lambert had six. Corinne Gadient recorded five blocks, Kuper had three and Rileigh Lambert had two.

     “We had a very balanced attack, with several players getting kills,” Breitbach said. “I think we defended our net well, and were scrappy with Northeast’s attacks, digging the ball up and getting offense going on our side.”

     Maddie Lambert and McDonough served three aces apiece.

     The Panthers were scheduled to host Midland’s tournament (Midland had ongoing gym construction) Sept. 2, and to play host to North Cedar Sept. 5, both after this paper went to press. Monticello will also play at Durant Sept. 7.

Aug. 31

Monticello 3, Northeast 0

MONTICELLO                            Kl    Bl    Dg   Ac

Shalay Bronemann                      8      0      2      0

Caitlyn Cruise                              0      0      4      0

Corinne Gadient                          3      5      0      0

Savanah Kremer                          0      0      9      0

Jordan Kuper                              13     3      0      0

Maddie Lambert                           1      1      6      3

Rileigh Lambert                            3      2      0      0

Macy McDonough                        0      0      7      3

Lauren Ries                                  7      0   10      2

Jaelynn Kraus                              0      0      1      1

Maria Recker                               1      0      0      0

Totals                                         36    11    40      9

Assists – M. Lambert 29, Kremer 2.

Serving leaders – M. Lambert 23-25,

McDonough 7-7.

Set scores

Monticello                     25   25   25 

Northeast                     14   14   15