MONTEZUMA – It took four sets against a determined Montezuma squad, but North Mahaska’s volleyball team reigned supreme 3-1 Monday. The Warhawks won on Monte’s floor, 25-11, 25-19, 23-25, 25-14. The victory sets up a match against the other undefeated South Iowa Cedar League team, Belle Plaine Thursday at North Mahaska.
First year head coach grace Ceresa was a bit nervous going against the Bravettes knowing the intensity of the rivalry.
“I was a bit scared coming in here tonight,” said Ceresa. “It is such a big rivalry I was not sure what to expect.”
North Mahaska jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first set and continued to build the lead not allowing Montezuma to earn more than two points on any rotation. Set two was a little closer as Montezuma made some adjustments and stayed close. North Mahaska led 21-18 as senior Regan Grewe stepped to the line to serve. She scored two of her three service aces on points 22 and 24. Montezuma misplayed a ball and gave the Warhawks the win.
A net serve by the Warhawks and two aces by Chloe Snook put Montezuma ahead 5-2. NM had three net serves in the set to aid Monte’s run. Ceresa said Monte changed the way they handled the ball at the net and caused problem for the Warhawks.
“It started going sideways in the third set and we didn’t make the adjustment,” said Ceresa. “They began using (Sydney( Burgess in the middle and did a lot of tipping and we didn’t react to it. We made the adjustments in the final set.”
The final set still saw North Mahaska struggling slightly at the service line. They had four serves that hit the net or was out of bounds. The Warhawks did pick up two aces in the final set.
“We obviously want more aces than errors, but I am not upset if we are serving aggressively,” said Ceresa. “I wasn’t really happy with the serves that hit the bottom of the tape.”
North Mahaska befuddled the Montezuma front line with their work at the net. Nataliya Linder drilled 19 kills and blocked or assisted on six blocks. Grewe powered down 11 kills from the outside and Sydney Andersen added six. Andersen led in service aces with four, Grewe hit for three and Carly Lake added another.
