It's not easy playing in the same section and conference as state powers Kasson-Mantorville and Stewartville. Byron has been knocked out of the Class 2A, Section 1 playoffs by one or the other each of the past seven seasons.
That doesn't mean the Bears have lost hope. Coach Owen Hoegh knows his team's task Tuesday at No. 5-2A Kasson-Mantorville is difficult. But he doesn't believe it's impossible.
Byron (8-2, 3-3) has had some regular-season success against the KoMets, winning in 2011 and again in 2015. If history has a sense of rhythm, the Bears could make the five-mile trip home with a victory in tow.
Hoegh said for that to happen, his team will have to control the speed of play, attacking Kasson-Mantorville's defense quickly to keep them off-balance.
That attack starts with libero Courtney Connelly, a third-year starter Hoegh is counting on to get the Bears offense in motion. Setter Rylie McRoberts directs play and middle hitter Sacia Vanderpool, a 6-4 junior, and outside hitter Payton Sampson apply the pressure.
The KoMets (8-2, 3-0) have won three in a row after losing 2-0 to Waconia on Sept. 7 at the Southwest Minnesota Challenge in Marshall. Setter Maddie Converse, Emily Terry, Mya Sues and Cate Wanous lead Kasson-Mantorville.