VICTOR – Montezuma kept the attacks coming and HLV dug most of them out.
Most. But not all.
And not quite enough.
The Bravettes prevailed 3-1 Thursday in the finals of the “silver” division of the SICL volleyball tournament. Scores were 25-21, 25-21, 22-25 and 30-28.
“We kept our heads up and looked toward the next point,” said Montezuma Coach Katie Dunlap.
By winning, the Bravettes finished their regular season above .500 at 18-16.
HLV (12-20) is known for its tough defense. Montezuma managed just six ace serves and Montezuma’s kill total of 38 on 127 attempts when, combined with kill errors, actually led to a negative serving percentage.
Ashlyn Krousie put down 16 kills for Montezuma and Dylan Holland had eight.
The Bravettes’ serves made the Warriors work, however, as several Montezuma players posted great numbers.
Shelby Conger was 25-25 (with three kills), Waverly Roorda was 17-10 (1), Korinn Kehoe was 16-16 (1), Krousie was 13-17 (1), Holland was 12-13 and Katie Reynolds was 10-11.
Roorda had 27 assists for Montezuma.
Amber Cooling had 23 digs and 31 assists for HLV. Karlee Timm had 21 digs and 15 kills.
As a team, HLV compiled 83 digs in the match.
The Bravettes wound up winning three of their four matches in the tournament.
They came closer than anyone else to knocking off tourney and SICL champion Belle Plaine, extending the Plainsmen to five games during Monday’s play.
Belle Plaine defeated North Mahaska and Lynnville-Sully on Thursday to claim the title.
“We always enjoy these tough battles because that is when the fun happens,” Dunlap said.
UP NEXT – it’s on the post-season play for the Bravettes, who will host a first round regional match against BGM on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m.
Bravettes stats
Kills – Ashlyn Krousie 16, Dylan Holland 8, Shelby Conger 6, Waverly Roorda 4, Korinn Kehoe 2, Shanae Wetering 2.
Assists – Roorda 27, Katie Reynolds 6, Maddy McKeag 1.
Digs – McKeag 13, Conger 8, Krousie 9, Reynolds 6, Kehoe 3, Holland 2, Roorda 2.
Blocks – Holland 3, Kehoe 2, Roorda 2, Kierstyn Price 1, Conger 1, Krousie 1.
Serves – Conger 25-25 with 3 aces; Roorda 17-19 with 1 ace; Kehoe 16-16 with 1 ace; Krousie 13-17 with 1 ace; Holland 12-13, Reynolds 10-11.