MOUNT HOREB — Coach Lauren Runde’s Belmont volleyball team went 3–2 on Saturday to finish second out of six teams in the Mount Horeb Invitational.
The Braves were swept by Milton, 25–18, 25–18, to open the tournament, but bounced back with a hard fought victory over Delavan–Darien, 25–22, 14–25, 15–12, to finish second in their pool.
Belmont (10–5–1 overall) then swept Lancaster’s JV, 25–6, 25–16 to open bracket play and beat Mount Horeb, 25–22, 18–25, 15–12, in the semifinals to reach the championship.
The Braves then dropped a close two-set match to Monona Grove, 27–25, 25–19.
Senior Keegan Kamps posted a team-high 31 kills and two blocks in four matches to lead the Braves. Fellow senior middle hitter Jannie deHaan had 28 kills. Setter Katelyn Schobert passed out 66 aces and Brianna Riechers served up a team-best eight aces. Maddie Rand made 48 digs to lead the defense.
“Saturday went well for us,” said Belmont head coach Lauren Runde. “We had a lot of good competition and we ended up getting second place. It was a good day for us.”
Last Thursday Belmont improved to 5–2 in Six Rivers West play with a sweep of Benton, 25–22, 25–17, 25–19 and remained just a game back of league-leading River Ridge (6–1 SRW).
“Thursday night was a great win for us,” said Runde. “Benton is a good team and we really needed that win. The girls played really well as a team. I felt like everything seemed to click for us.”
Kamps posted a double–double of 17 kills and 10 digs. Jannie de Haan slammed 12 kills and Rand made 25 digs.
Last Monday evening Belmont held off host Shullsburg in a very tense four-set match, 23–25, 28–26, 27–25, 25–18. The Braves needed extra points to win both the second and third sets.
Kamps powered the Belmont offense with 17 kills, while deHaan added 13 kills and four aces. Schobert passed out 35 assists and Rand made 12 digs.
Belmont will return to action Thursday at Highland before hosting Cassville on Tuesday.
Belmont 3, Shullsburg 1
(from Monday, Sept. 22 @ Shullsburg)
Belmont 23 28 27 25
Shullsburg 25 26 25 18
Belmont stat leaders
Kills: Keegan Kamps 17, Jannie deHaan 13. Blocks: Brianna Riechers 3. Assists: Katelyn Schobert 35. Aces: Jannie de Haan 4, Riechers 3. Digs: Maddie Rand 12, Brook Knebel 7.
Belmont 3, Benton 0
(from Thursday, Sept. 25 @ Benton)
Belmont 25 25 25
Benton 22 17 19
Belmont stat leaders
Kills: Keegan Kamps 17, Jannie deHaan 12. Blocks: Brianna Riechers 2. Assists: Katelyn Schobert 35. Aces: Riechers 2. Digs: Maddie Rand 25, Kamps 10.
Mount Invitational
(from Saturday, Sept. 27 @ Mount Horeb)
Championship: Monona Grove def. Belmont 27–25, 25–19
Third-place: Mount Horeb def. Milton 25–19, 18–25, 17–15
Fifth-place: Delavan–Darien def. Lancaster 25–6, 25–17
Semifinals: Belmont def. Mount Horeb 25–22, 18–25, 15–12; Monona Grove def. Milton 25–17, 16–25, 15–10.
Quarterfinals: Belmont def. Lancaster JV 25–8, 25–16; Monona Grove def. Delavan–Darien 25–18, 25–18.
Pool A standings: Mount Horeb 2–0, Monona Grove 1–1, Lancaster JV 0–2.
Pool B standings: Milton 2–0, Belmont 1–1, Delavan–Darien 0–2.
Belmont pool play scores
Milton def. Belmont 25–18, 25–18
Belmont def. Delavan–Darien 25–22, 14–25, 15–12
Belmont stat leaders
Kills: Keegan Kamps 31, Jannie de Haan 28. Blocks: Brianna Riechers 3, K. Kamps 2. Assists: Katelyn Schobert 66. Aces: Riechers 8, Paige Nolan 1. Digs: Maddie Rand 48, Brook Knebel 29.
