Monticello volleyball wins state second-round matchup, but ends season in fifth-place semis

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The Monticello High School volleyball team entered the 1A Utah State Tournament Richfield ranked fifth among the 19 teams vying for the 2024 state title.
Their ranking earned a bye in the first round and as the tournament shifted to the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield this past Friday, November 1 the Lady Buckaroos found themselves in a second-round matchup with #12 Escalante needing four wins to secure a championship.
The girls made quick work of the Lady Moquis, downing them in straight sets 25-7, 25-21, and 25-14. But as in every state tournament, the more you win, the harder your next-round opponent.
In the quarterfinals Monticello came up against #4 Manila who had won three straight matches and five of their last six.
The Lady Bucks started well and took the Lady Mustangs to the limit in the first set. But they fell just short, losing a heartbreaker 26-24.
Following the setback MHS was never able to regain their footing as they suffered losses in the second and third sets 25-18 and 25-20.
With the loss they dropped into the fifth-place bracket where they faced #8 Rich in an early-morning semifinal battle on Saturday, November 2.
Unfortunately the Lady Buckaroos were unable to get in gear against the Lady Rebels and they fell in straight sets 25-19 and 25-17, bringing an end to their state tournament and season.
Monticello ended the year with a 14-13 overall record. Alise Lewis led the offensive attack this season with an average of 10.5 kills per match. Alli Young averaged 6.0, Marlee Mack 4.0, and Kyleigh Adair 2.6.
Makenna Peterson and Josie Mack were neck-and-neck with 10.8 and 10.6 assists per match respectively. Marlee Mack led the team with an impressive 95.6 serve percentage.
Lewis averaged almost two aces per match at 1.8. Makenna Peterson served up 1.3 aces per match, Josie Mack 1.0, and Marlee Mack 0.8.
Marlee Mack, Lewis, and Young averaged 12.2, 10.1, and 10.1 digs per match respectively. Lewis registered 2.6 blocks per match, Josie Mack 1.2, Young 1.2, and Peterson 0.9.
The Lady Buckaroos are looking solid for 2025. Only Alli Young and Kyleigh Adair graduate this year so the team will enjoy a large percentage of returning starters.