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Bravettes sweep Plainsmen in SICL opener
Burgess leads way with 18 kills
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MONTEZUMA — Playing and beating the same team twice in a week is always a challenge, especially against a conference opponent.
That’s what Montezuma faced as it opened South Iowa Cedar League play Thursday night against Belle Plaine.
The two faced off in a tournament the previous weekend, where the Bravettes won the best-of-three match.
This one counted toward conference standings, but the result was the same.
The Bravettes came away with the 3-0 sweep by set scores of 25-22, 25-14 and 25-22.
“Our game plan going in was to just give it our all,” senior Chloe Snook said. “We work together as a team pretty well.”
Belle Plaine’s dynamic setter Alli Hoover and Carly McLeod led the Plainsmen attack in an entertaining first set, each with four kills.
The Plainsmen led 15-13, and the Bravettes took a timeout.
Then came Sydnee Burgess.
The Bravettes’ junior delivered four kills and two blocks to help the team capture the lead for the set win. Burgess finished with eight kills in the set in total.
“When we need someone to end a rally, we can always rely on her and give us as much points as possible,” Snook said of Burgess. “With her also being one of the top blockers in Class 1A, it really helps our defense.”
Set two was a repeat of the first in the early going, with both teams exchanging blows.
That all changed when Montezuma held a 16-14 lead. The Bravettes closed the set on a 9-0 run which included three aces from Mya Smothers.
More importantly in the second set, the Bravettes showed a balanced offensive attack. Snook had three kills, and sophomore Ryanne Williams totaled four, three coming in the middle of the set.
Williams played as a freshman last season but has been much more productive in her sophomore campaign.
“Everyone has been pushing me so much harder this year,” Williams said. “I’m a lot more confident too.“
Williams has 43 kills so far this season.
Snook has been the team’s second-leading attacker this season while also managing setter duties.
“It’s really hard if I’m being honest,” Snook said. “Setting is a hard thing to do, but once you get it down and you learn what each player likes, it comes more easily.
“Hitting is your own mindset and you have to focus on yourself more and more.”
Set three saw the Bravettes in total command, but the Plainsmen did not go away without a fight.
Trailing 9-2 early and 16-9 later, the Plainsmen cut the lead to one at 21-20. Jules Stamp and Taylor Johnson each had three kills in the set for the Plainsmen.
Burgess finished the night with 18 kills for the Bravettes.
The win put Montezuma at 8-8 for the season. The team has played more sets than any other team in the conference.
“We've been able to defrost from the summer and get more live action together as a team,” Snook said. “It helps us get that family aspect down, and we are much stronger together.
“We’ve been able to prepare a lot for conference play.“
