The Monticello Sages continued to build momentum Thursday night, sweeping Shelbyville in straight sets, 25-17 and 25-20, in a strong home performance.
With the victory, Monticello improves to 3-4 overall, while Shelbyville falls to 2-3.
The Sages came out with confidence and consistency, controlling both sets and putting together one of their most complete performances of the season.
Monticello junior right-side hitter Kami Churchill led the offensive attack with eight kills, while senior setter Emma Arnold helped keep the offense moving with 16 assists. Junior libero Emma Lawhead anchored the defensive effort with 13 digs.
After the match, Monticello head coach Murray credited the team’s preparation and growing confidence for the performance.
“I felt like we had a really good practice yesterday, and you could just see it trickle in,” Murray said. “We had a lot of confidence, we played composed. Tonight we definitely looked like a team.”
That team chemistry has been a major focus for the Sages throughout the early part of the season. Murray said the team has worked not only on its physical skills but also on the mental side of the game through journaling and mental-health training.
“We know that there’s more to the game than just reps,” Murray said. “Reps are how we get better, but there’s also that mental component, and I think that really brings our girls together in a different way.”
Monticello entered the season with a young roster, with only two players returning who saw varsity action a year ago. The early-season struggles provided valuable learning experiences, but the Sages have continued to trust the process.
Murray emphasized the importance of learning from both victories and mistakes while continuing to build confidence.
“We don’t want to peak too early, and we’re just going to keep on going up,” Murray said.
One player who has experienced that growth firsthand is Hayden Curtis, who is in her first season at Monticello after coming over from Central.
Curtis said Thursday’s match was one of the team’s best performances of the season.
“I feel like this game has definitely been one of our best,” Curtis said. “The games that we have finished, we’ve played pretty good, but I feel like we’ve done better in some losses than we have wins.”
Curtis also pointed to the improving chemistry within the team as an important reason for the Sages’ recent progress.
“I feel like the chemistry has gotten a lot better,” Curtis said. “We’re building the chemistry that we need pretty quickly, like, for how early in the season we are.”
That chemistry was on full display Thursday as Monticello consistently played together and found ways to finish points when opportunities arose.
For Curtis, the transition to Monticello has been a positive one.
“It’s been really good. I like it here a lot,” she said. “There’s so many good people here, and we just all have learned to play together really well.”
The Sages will look to carry Thursday night’s momentum into their next match as they continue working toward becoming the team Murray believes they can be by the end of the season.
For Monticello, the message remains simple: keep trusting the process, keep building chemistry and keep improving.
Monticello 3-4 | Shelbyville 2-3
Monticello Stat Leaders:
- Emma Arnold: 16 assists
- Emma Lawhead: 13 digs
- Kami Churchill: 8 kills
