Panthers wrap up third straight RVC North title
The previous week, Monticello’s volleyball team earned at least a portion of what they wanted.
On Oct. 6, they got it all.
The Panthers swept Northeast 25-21, 25-20, 25-14 in Goose Lake to win the outright championship of the River Valley Conference North Division.
It was the third straight division title for the Panthers, who went 7-0 in division play and are 20-9 overall.
“It is a great accomplishment,” Monticello coach Stacie Breitbach said. “We discussed as a team what they want their legacy to be, and they want to be remembered as the team that continued to win the (division) title. They set the goal and worked hard to achieve it.”
The Panthers had to work a little harder to win this one, particularly in the first two sets.
“Northeast served aggressively, and we had some difficulties handling that at times,” Breitbach said. “I think they are a scrappy team and work hard to keep the ball in play.”
Monticello controlled the third set, however, running off to an 11-point victory to close out both the match and the division crown.
“The girls came in loose and determined,” the coach said. “They believe in each other, and that is what makes this team so special.”
Jayden Kuper had another special performance, putting down 20 kills, as Mia Jaeger made 26 assists. Getting four kills apiece were Madison Butterworth, Madilynn Kromminga, Keziah McQuillen and Jaeger; Abby Sharlow had three.
The Panthers had a strong serving night, with 15 aces, led by Jaelyn Aitchison with five (while serving 14-for-14), Lanie Luensman and Jordan Fangmann with three apiece, and Kuper with two. Jaeger served 9-for-9, and Kromminga was 7-for-7.
Defensively McQuillen posted eight of the team’s 36 digs. Aitchison added six, Kuper and Luensman had five apiece, Jaeger had four, Lacie Koppes had three and Butterworth added two.
Conference tourney
The annual River Valley Conference Tournament will be held Thursday, Oct. 13 at Northeast of Goose Lake, under a different format than in past years.
This tournament will only feature the North Division teams in an eight-team, single elimination bracket. Monticello, the champion, drew the number one seed, and will open against No. 8 Camanche at 5 p.m.
The winner will face either No. 4 Northeast or No. 5 Anamosa at 7 p.m. The championship match will be at 8 p.m.
All matches will be best-of-three sets, up to 21 for the first two rounds, and up to 25 in the final.
“I think we are in a position to continue to do great things,” coach Breitbach said. “They still have some unfinished business at the conference tournament. We are looking forward to the next challenge.”
Regional pairings
Also announced last week were the regional pairings. Monticello landed in Class 3A, Region 5 and will play host to Waukon (14-14) in a quarterfinal match Monday, Oct. 17 at MHS.
The winner will play Dubuque Wahlert or Oelwein Oct. 19 at Wahlert in the semifinals. The final will be Oct. 25 at a site to be determined.
Ranked teams in the district (as of Oct. 6) are No. 8 Osage, No. 12 Wahlert and No. 14 Monticello.
Oct. 6
(at Goose Lake)
Monticello 3, Northeast 0
MONTICELLO Kl Bl Dg Ac
Mia Jaeger 4 1 4 0
Jayden Kuper 20 2 5 2
Keziah McQuillen 4 1 8 1
Lanie Luensman 0 0 5 3
Abby Sharlow 3 1 1 0
Jordan Fangmann 0 0 1 3
Jaelyn Aitchison 0 0 6 5
Lacie Koppes 1 0 3 0
Madison Butterworth 4 2 2 0
Madilynn Kromminga 4 0 1 1
Totals 36 7 36 15
Assists – Jaeger 26, Luensman 2, Kuper 1,
McQuillen 1, Kromminga 1.
Serving leaders – Aitchison 14-14,
Jaeger 9-9, Kromminga 7-7.
Set scores
Monticello 25 25 25
Northeast 21 20 14