In the post-season, successful teams don’t re-invent the wheel.
They sharpen the saw.
Which means they work to improve the little things in their game.
Montezuma plays at Belle Plaine for the third time Monday evening, Oct. 26, this time in a Class 1A regional semifinal match. It starts at 7 p.m.
Belle Plaine (25-8) won the first two matches, but Montezuma (14-6) won a set each time.
For the Bravettes, bigger success might just be a little more precision – on passes, on serve placements, on angles of attack.
Montezuma edged HLV in five sets to get to this match, but Belle Plaine did the same against a 13-12 Central City team.
Belle Plaine won the first two sets, 27-25 and 25-22. Central City won the third and fourth, 25-21 and 25-15. Belle Plaine won the fifth, 15-9.
Belle Plaine was out-attacked by Central City, which had more kills. But 14 ace serves by Belle Plaine probably were the difference.
“I know we have a tough matchup heading back up to Belle Plaine,” said Montezuma Coach Tim Burgess. “We have done some nice things against them and have won a set each time we have played.”
“Hopefully, we can continue to improve and see if we can string a few good sets together,” the coach said.
Nicholaa Phillippe (#9) is a high-leaping, 5-9 outside hitter for Belle Plaine. She had 21 kills the last time against Montezuma, and a .476 attack efficiency rating.
Alyssia Tegeler (#6) had 20 kills and a .375 rating. She’s a 6-foot middle hitter. She also was 24-25 serving, with three aces.
Shanae Wetering had 14 kills for the Bravettes and a .542 rating. Ash Krousie had 10 kills.
“The important thing is to maintain your composure and next play mentality,” Burgess said. “I tell them all the time that they will never play the perfect match, ever. However, you can come every night and control your effort and attitude.”
“We have displayed a grit and competitive spirit – like we did against HLV – multiple times in the last three weeks,” Burgess said. “That will carry you a long way in sports as well as life.”
“I’m excited to continue to work with these kiddos for as many days as we can continue to play,” he said.
THE OTHER SEMI – in Region 7 has regional top seed Springville (25-4) taking on Clinton Prince of Peace (20-9-1).
The winners Monday play for the regional title – and a trip to state – on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Benton Community. Start time there will be 7 p.m.