Montini plays like it's in a hurry
A lot of factors came into play as Montini made quick work of Aurora Christian on Monday night in Lombard.
A rugged early season girls volleyball schedule has helped strengthen the squad, which knocked off the Eagles 25-5, 25-18. But the players also credited a supportive student section, including some loud football players, with helping motivate them.
Senior outside hitter Monica Loftus, who had a match-high 11 kills, also said getting done quickly so as to be able to catch the Bears on Monday Night Football, also played a role in the sweep.
"That was our incentive actually," she said about wanting to watch the Bears game. "For most people it was. And the crowd really pumped us up.
"In that first game we were pretty flawless."
The Broncos, who improved to 11-7, 3-0 in CCL play, have gone up against some of the state's top teams so far and every loss so far has come against much bigger schools.
"We've played a lot of great teams and that has really prepared us," Broncos coach Steve Dowjotas said. "Our first half of the season has been extremely tough. It's prepared us to the point we are now."
Montini, which will take on state power St. Francis on Wednesday, jumped ahead 11-1 in the opener and never looked back. The Eagles (8-8, 0-2) did not record a single kill in the first game as the hosts clicked in all facets.
"We all worked together and our passing was pretty on point," junior setter Gina Cappetta said. "Everybody was confident. Focus was the big key. I think every pass was on point from our libero."
To the Eagles' credit, they came out and played much better in the second game, which was tied at 12-12 following an ace by Emily Ward and a kill from Carson Pape. Libero MaKayla Beebe did her best to extend many rallies, but the Broncos were just too tough on this night.
"We just had a slow start and mentally kind of let them in our heads," Aurora Christian coach Allison Neyberg said. "They obviously took that first game … but in the second game we played much better. That's obviously how we want to come out from the beginning. Hey, we get to play them again."
The Broncos defense was tough, with Mary Long and Jennifer Marten combining for 18 digs in the match. Cappetta, meanwhile, is thriving in the team's new 5-1 offense this fall.
"I love it. It's so much fun," she said when asked about running the Montini attack. "I love being on the court the whole time, taking control, running the offense as much as I can."
Dowjotas loves having so much experience back from last year's 30-win team.
"We have a lot of seniors on the roster so the experience is definitely there," he said. "So usually when they're in a rough little bout I'll call a timeout and I can count on them to get out of it pretty quick.
"Our only losses so far are to top 4A schools and we've competed in every one of them. That's put us in a good spot where we are now."