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Bravettes remain unbeaten in conference play
Team is one step closer to an SICL title
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MONTEZUMA — A common theme can be heard when you ask any Montezuma volleyball player what has led to their success this season.
That would be their team cohesion.
“Our team really likes being around each other, and it helps a lot,” senior Lily Ferry said. “We all genuinely want the best for each other and for us to succeed, so we’re always picking each other up. It all comes down to us believing in ourselves and our teammates.”
That togetherness has the Bravettes one step closer to clinching a South Iowa Cedar League title, moving to 7-0 in conference play after a four-set win over HLV-TC Thursday.
Togetherness leads to the energy and effort which was on display in Thursday’s win.
“Our effort is huge,” Sydnee Burgess said. “We’re all over the place, and that’s a apart of the game and the fun. Energy is a huge part of our team.”
Thursday’s showdown carried a lot of weight, the winner claiming possession of first place in the conference. The Warriors came into the contest at 5-1.
HLV-TC took the first set, 29-27, the closest set of the evening.
The Warriors trailed 17-10, but used a 13-6 run to tie things up at 23.
Karley Moore was key in the comeback with several kills.
Midway through set two, Montezuma led 13-12. The Bravettes then went on a 9-0 run, with a heavy dose of Burgess.
The Bravettes’ junior had five kills and a block in the run.
Burgess had several runs of her own, leading the way with 21 kills.
“My energy, once it gets up, it’s going, and it’s hard to take down,” Burgess said.
Burgess read the defense well on her attacks, often placing the ball in the soft spot of the defense.
“It comes down to as the game progresses, reading the players more and realizing what spots are open,” Burgess said. “Our sideline does a great job of telling us where to push and hit too.”
The Bravettes took set two 25-17.
In set three, it was all HLV-TC early. The Warriers jumped out to a 8-1 lead.
Burgess went on another run to square things up at nine.
The set stayed close to the end. A Nicole Gensley block and ace cut the Bravettes’ lead to 24-22, but Montezuma finished the set on the next serve for a 25-22 win.
Set four was the Bravettes’ best. They grabbed an early lead and didn’t look back.
Ferry, for the second time in the night, had four kills in the 25-14 win.
Ferry was second on the team in kills with 12 as the hitter the opposite side of Burgess.
“Everyone communicates well on where to go off the set,” Ferry said. “It depends on what’s open and where our sideline tells us to go (with the attack).”
Moore and Gensley both had strong performances for the Warriors in the loss, with 14 and 13 kills, respectively. The team totaled 49 and had eight aces.
HLV-TC (10-11, 5-2) will host Sigourney Monday, as it looks for a top three conference finish.
The Bravettes also had 49 kills Thursday, with 14 blocks defensively. Chloe Snook had 25 assists.
Montezuma (19-8, 7-0) also defeated their other primary challenger this week in the conference race in North Mahaska and needs only one or two more wins to clinch a conference title for the first time since 2021.
“It feels great,” Burgess said. “I’m proud of the team and excited for the seniors. They’ve never been in this position and were looking to get that trophy in our trophy case.”
Next up for the Bravettes is a match at Colfax-Mingo Monday.
Cheers to 500
Two Montezuma players were honored after the game for hitting the 500 milestone in key statistics in previous matches.
Sophomore Lauryn Larmore went over 500 career digs, while Burgess passed 500 career kills.
