Monticello volleyball team endures busy week, closes out the regular season, now preparing for playoffs

The Monticello High School volleyball team honored their seniors this past Tuesday, October 12 with baskets of goodies and a nice hoodie.

They thanked their coaches with gifts and honored the visiting Whitehorse Raiders coaches and seniors with a little gift. Then the home team promptly took the match in straight sets.

The Buckaroos closed out the week with a trip to Richfield for the 1A-2A Clash at the Sevier Valley Center on Friday and Saturday, October 15-16.

The first day of pool play was a best-of-three format that kept the games moving swiftly. Monticello opened the weekend against the Duchesne Eagles.

The Lady Bucks came out determined against a tough team. Starter Abbi Christensen aced a serve to bring the score to 6-0 MHS.

Then seniors Jessi Slack and Taylor Lewis each got a block and the Bucks were up 9-1. But the Eagles inched their way back.

Taylor Barry served an ace and Kylie Rogers killed between blockers to bring the Bucks to game point, 25-24. Rogers and Slack both played tough on the net, blocking the hit.

Then Rogers tipped it back to set the Bucks up for a second chance at game point. They took advantage this time, closing out the first set 27-25.

Ali Barry had a nice kill in the middle and Christensen got an ace serve, but the Bucks dropped the second set 25-12.

Ali Barry started Monticello off on the right foot with a great block to open the third and final set. Taylor Barry enjoyed an ace serve by dribbling it over the net.

Lewis had a great cross-court kill on the offhand side. But the Eagles matched the Bucks’ pace, taking the third set 15-9.

Monticello dominated their next match against Bryce Valley, winning in two straight 25-21 and 25-15. Rogers was credited with two blocks; Slack got a kill in the middle with a push to the corner.

Saydi Young had a kill on a gimme. Taylor Barry aced two of her jump serves and assisted Christensen on her kill off the block.

Christensen also made a second-touch kill by surprising the defense with a tip. Jade Nielson had an ace serve and a kill from the back row. Athea Ford ended the match with an ace.

Monticello ended the first day of the tournament with a loss to the Milford Tigers. Saturday they started out in tournament play (best-of-five format) against the Tintic Miners.

Rosy Beh opened with two ace serves, followed by Ali Barry killing and blocking well. Young received the serve, then killed on the set from Christensen. Lewis killed on a nice back-set by Christensen.

Beh got a kill from the back row with an angled hit to the sideline. Christensen finished the third and final set with a kill from the outside.

The final game of the weekend was against St. Joseph. The Jayhawks took the first two sets 25-12 and 25-11 with solid hitting. But the Buckaroos weren’t ready to quit.

Christensen rallied MHS with an ace serve followed by a dig from Slack that set up a kill by Young. Barry blocked the taller offensive hitter in the middle. The Bucks won the third set 25-22. But St. Joseph took it home in the fourth 25-12.

This week Monticello traveled to Monument Valley to close out their regular season with a local rivalry match on Tuesday, October 19. Heading into the week, the Bucks were a perfect 7-0 in 1A Region 23 with an overall record of 12-14.

Since it’s the final week of the regular season, the Utah High School Activities Association has taken the RPI standings offline, but it’s likely the Buckaroos will finish somewhere between #8 and #12 when the final standings are released.

If they finish 9th or better, they’ll earn a bye for the first round of the 1A state tournament. Otherwise, they’ll begin the tourney this Saturday, October 23 on the road.

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