Montezuma’s volleyball team graduated some key players that helped fashion an SICL championship season last fall.
That means there is work to do, and “we have been busy this summer!” said Coach Rylie Little.
Since June, girls from the volleyball program have been in the gym twice a week at 6;30 a.m., followed by lifting three times a week, according to Little.
The Bravettes, 22-10 overall last fall, went 11-0 in regular season play in the South Iowa Cedar League. They went unbeaten through the league tournament, outlasting Colfax-Mingo in an exhausting championship match.
Montezuma’s talent cupboard wasn’t left bare. The younger girls left behind by the departing seniors have been working hard.
“We attended the University of Northern Iowa camp as a varsity squad, taking our top 12 at the time,” Little said. “We received third in our pool! We played some really great teams up there!”
The coach said Montezuma players have been involved this summer in volleyball activities ranging from 212 to Rockets to leagues in Grinnell.
The 212 program features camps and leagues. Rockets refers to programs run by the Iowa Rockets team.
“There were quite a few participants at UNI, and in Rockets individual camps,” Little said.
“We have even thrown in a team bonding night, with a camp fire and ‘s’mores. The girls had a blast!” Little said.
But soon, official practice will be under way and it’ll be down to business for the defending SICL champs.
High school volleyball
Thurs., Aug. 18 – Grinnell 3-levels scrimmage), 4:30 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 23 – at Albia tournament, 4 p.m.
Mon., Aug. 29 – at South Tama, 5:30 p.m.
Tues., Aug. 30 – Montezuma tourney, 5 p.m.
Thurs., Sept 1 – at BGM, 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 10 – at GMG tourney, 9 a.m.
Mon., Sept. 12 – at North Mahaska, 5:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 19 – Lynnville-Sully, 5:30 p.m.
Thurs., Sept. 22 – at Colfax-Mingo, 5:30 p.m.
Mon., Sept. 26 – HLV, 5:30 p.m
Tues., Sept 27 – at GMG, 5:30 (F-S first)
Thurs., Sept. 29 – Sigourney, 5:30 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 3 – at Belle Plaine, 5:30 p.m.
Thurs., Oct. 6 – Iowa Valley, 5:30 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 10 – at SICL tourney pool play, location TBA, 5 p.m.
Thurs. Oct. 13 – SICL finals, location TBA, 5 p.m.