MONTEZUMA â The Montezuma Bravettes are getting better.
Evidence of that lies in one revealing statistic from their Wednesday, Oct. 23 win (3-0) over Iowa Valley: Digs. The Bravettes totaled just four for the match.
That’s really low and means one of two things: The Bravettes were facing flamethrowers on the other side of the net, OR . . Iowa Valley was having an impossible time catching up to Bravettes’ serves and attacks.
You guessed it: Iowa Valley was having problems getting the ball back across the net.
Montezuma’s 18th consecutive win advanced the girls to the next round of the Class 8 Region 3 tournament, and nearing a state tournament appearance in Coralville.
The Bravettes will get the weekend off from matches, but with a chance to sharpen their skills. They’ll need to be sharp, because they will be across from a rangy team.
Montezuma (24-8) will be going to Waterloo on Monday. Oct. 27, to take on Cedar Ridge Christian (20-10) on the Regents’ home court.
The Regents have four girls standing between 5-10 and 5-11, and another at 6-3, middle hitter Ana Angular. She has 209 kills and 69 blocks, and has left room on the statline for some teammates.
The Regents placed second to Janesville in the Iowa Star North Conference.
Against Iowa Valley, Chloe Snook had 23 assists and Anna Kercheval had 17. Syd Burgess had 13 kills, Lily Ferry had 10 and Ryanne Williams had 9.
Montezuma was again strong on serving, accurate on getting the ball over the net (95 percent), and with something on it â 8 aces.
Should Montezuma win on Monday, the Bravettes would play again on Wednesday, at a site to be determined.
Bravette Stat Box
Assists: Snook 23, Kercheval 17.
Kills: Burgess 13, Ferry 10, Williams 9, Snook 7, Urfer 2.
Blocks: Urfer 2, Burgess 1, L. Wilson 1, Snook 1.
Digs: Urfer 3, Bos 1.
Serves: Smothers 15-16 with (2) aces; Larmore 12-14 with (3) aces; Kercheval 11-11; Burgess 11-11 (2); Snook 9-9 (1); Ferry 9-9; Bos 2-2.
Montezuma 3, Iowa Valley 0
(25-8, 25-11, 25-21)