PREVIEW: Panthers try for three-peat in RVC North

   Monticello is the two-time defending River Valley Conference, North Division champion in volleyball.

   This year’s Panthers want to make it three.

   “This team has hefty goals,” seventh-year head coach Stacie Breitbach said. “They want to ‘three-peat’ winning the (division), they want to make a good postseason run, and want to have fun in the process.

   “They will have to continue to come to practice with ‘can-do’ attitudes, learn from mistakes we make and keep the big picture in mind.”

   The task in the North will be more difficult this time. The division has added perennial powerhouse Dyersville Beckman, as well as Maquoketa (North Cedar left to join the Tri-Rivers Conference).

   “They will both be tough,” Breitbach said. “Cascade and Anamosa are always big rivalry matches. I think Northeast (Goose Lake) will be the surprise team on our side of the conference.

   “In the South, I predict West Liberty, Mid-Prairie and West Branch to be the leaders.”

   The Panthers will face these foes with a tall, experienced lineup. Three starters are back: 6-foot senior hitter Madison Butterworth, 5-7 junior hitter Keziah McQuillen, and junior defensive specialist Jordan Fangmann.

   Five other returning letter-winners are senior setter Mia Jaeger, senior defensive specialist Jaelyn Aitchison, junior hitters Lacie Koppes and Abby Sharlow, both 5-9; and sophomore setter Mya Hansen.

   Senior Lainey Luensman is a newcomer to the team. In all, there are 39 girls out for the team.

   “The girls have great attitudes and work well together,” coach Breitbach said. “We are tough servers, and are working on running a quick offense.

   “I am super excited for this season. We had a really good camp, and now we’re settling in to work on making each team in our program their best.”

   Andrea Bone, a 2013 MHS graduate, is the varsity assistant coach and junior varsity coach. Allison Ries and Rileigh Newhard will handle the freshman-sophomore team.