TRAER – North Tama’s control at the net helped the Redhawks to a 3-0 win over Montezuma in an intense Class 1A Region 6 volleyball semifinal match on Monday evening, Oct. 25.
Scores for North Tama were 25-15, 25-21 and 25-22.
The loss ended Montezuma’s season, while North Tama will play in the regional championship match Wednesday night for the right to appear in the state finals.
Versatile, all-around play helped to provide North Tama’s control. That included pinpoint serving, alternating hard serves with softer offerings. Also in the mix: Good passing to the setter, to set up the attackers.
The Bravettes struggled to control passes to the middle, meaning the team had problems at times getting into its offense.
North Tama’s attackers came up to the net with a choice of taking a big arm swing, or tapping the ball toward open areas.
That might make it sound more one-sided than the match was. The Bravettes hung tough and had their chances. The Redhawks just gave themselves a few more chances.
In the first set, Montezuma stayed within two points until the score reached 15-13, then the Redhawks ran eight straight points to get control. Serving keyed the 10-2 run by the Warhawks to end the set.
The second set was a war. The Bravettes fell behind 8-3, but rallied to tie the score at 10, 12 and 13, then took a brief lead at 14-13.
Montezuma’s serving was key to the improved results. The Bravettes were better able to get into their offense, and points resulted. The score was tied at 14, 15, 16 and at 19 before North Tama broke away to the 25-21 win. Shanae Wetering and Izzy Roorda floored several attacks each as the Bravettes hung in.
Strong serving again set things up for North Tama in the third set. The Redhawks led 9-5. The Bravettes rallied, but each time they closed in, the Redhawks did something that broke Montezuma’s momentum.
Strong serving by Katie Reynolds, with some by Korrinn Kehoe, saw the Bravettes score four straight points after trailing 12-6.
The Bravettes trailed 20-18, but were outscored five to two the rest of the way.
North Tama moves on with a record of 29-10.
The Bravettes closed a successful 22-10 season, which included the SICL tournament championship and an unbeaten record in all league play.
Bravettes Coach Rylie Little was voted SICL coach of the year, but she was absent from Monday’s match.
Assistant Coach Mackenzie James took over for Little, with an assist from Montezuma Junior High Coach Megan Carlson.
THANKS, SENIORS! – The match was the final one as Bravettes for Montezuma seniors Shanae Wetering, Katie Reynolds, Allyson Larmore, Korrinn Kehoe, Tia Shaffer and Kailey Shaffer.
