HLV volleyball teams always come to play.
The Bravettes usually meet them above the net.
They battled away Monday evening, Sept. 14, in Montezuma – and into a decisive fifth set they went.
The Bravettes dominated it and prevailed, 15-7, to score a 3-2 match victory in Montezuma’s South Iowa Cedar League opener.
“The fifth set was definitely a testament to mental toughness,” Bravettes coach Katie Dunlap said. “I was so glad we played together.”
It was back and forth from the start and all the way through. Montezuma won the first set 26-24.
HLV took the second, 25-14.
The Bravettes won the third, 25-21.
But HLV was strong again in the fourth, 25-15.
“There were things we need to work on, but it was very good to have Ash and Korinn back,” the coach said.
Ash is Ash Krousie, who missed Saturday’s tournament at Williamsburg because of an illness.
Korrinn is Korrinn Kehoe, a key front line player for the Bravettes, who injured an ankle last week and also missed Saturday’s tourney.
“Korrinn’s ankle is healing and doing much better, but she pushed forward and was very responsible with icing to ensure that she would be there for her team in this match,” Dunlap said.
HLV was successful on 93.2% of its serves, but the Bravettes kept hitting the ball back at the Warriors.
Montezuma compiled 84 digs in this match, to 43 by the Warriors.
Five Bravettes were in double figures in digs, led by Katie Reynolds with 18.
Montezuma also was aggressive at the net, with 12 blocks for the match. Reynolds and Dylan Holland had four each and Shanae Wetering had three.
Reynolds had all 24 assists for Montezuma, with Krousie and Holland leading with seven kills each.
Reynolds capped a strong all-around match by going 19-for-20 serving with one ace. Wetering had identical serving figures and Allyson Larmore counted three aces among her 12 successful attempts.
Senior Kayla Jack led HLV with 10 kills and was 16-18 on serves with four aces. Senior Kayla York was 22-23 on serves, had had six aces.
Montezuma is 3-4 overall, but at 1-0 is one of three unbeaten teams in conference play. HLV, as the Bravettes can attest, is a very tough 0-5 overall.
“We are really excited to keep moving forward and working on things, to be ready for Lynnville-Sully on Thursday,” Dunlap said.
Stats vs. HLV
Assists – Katie Reynolds 24.
Kills – Ashlyn Krousie 7, Dylan Holland 7, Korrinn Kehoe 5, Shanae Wetering 5, Kierstyn Price 2.
Blocks – Reynolds 4, Holland 4, Wetering 3, Kehoe 1.
Digs – Reynolds 18, Wetering 16, Allyson Larmore 13, Kehoe 12, Krousie 12, Price 7, Holland 3, Robison 2, Izzy Roorda 1.
Serves – Reynolds 19-20 with one ace; Wetering 19-20 with one ace; Larmore 12-15 with three aces; Krousie 11-13 with one ace; Kehoe 10-10 with one ace; Holland 9-11 with one ace; Price 0-1.
UP NEXT – The Bravettes host Lynville-Sully (5-1; 2-1) on Thursday, Sept. 17, with underclass action starting at 5:30 p.m.