Bishop Montgomery Girls Sweep Past Exeter

The Bishop Montgomery High girls’ volleyball team proved Saturday that good things come to those who wait, as they beat Exeter, 15-5, 15-10, 15-10, in the quarterfinals of the State Division III playoffs.

Coach Kim Willeman credited the host Knights’ patience as the key to victory. Exeter (31-2) was able to string together several rallies that in the past would have distracted top-seeded Bishop Montgomery (18-4).

“This team is young and I’ve tried to teach them not to get so excited when they give up a few points in a row,” Willeman said. “A game is not won on a couple of points. It takes 15 points.”

When in need of a rally-killer, the Knights looked to Cindy Weglarz, who finished with 20 kills.

“She’s been our bread and butter this year,” Willeman said.

If Weglarz has been the bread and butter, then setter Becci Roehl has been the knife. The senior had 31 assists in the match.

“I think our setting was a lot better and that was a big key,” Willeman said. “The way they were playing it, it was a slower game. We don’t like to play that way. We play with a fast offense.”

Exeter trailed most of the match, until it managed six consecutive points in the third game to make the score 8-6. Bishop Montgomery rallied by scoring nine of the last 11 points to win the match.

“I had all the confidence in the world at that point,” Willeman said. “I didn’t feel we would lose the match or anything. (Exeter) made a lot of errors and I was sure they would make more.”

The Knights play Bakersfield Stockdale in the semifinals at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.