For the third time this season, the #1 seeded Cambridge Trojans battled the #2 seeded Overton Eagles battled on the court. This time it was for the Class D2 championship at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Saturday morning. As we highlighted, each team has won one match against the other earlier this season.
This time around, Overton got the better of the Trojans, winning by the sweep. The set scores were 25-21, 25-21, and 29-27. It was a gritty match from both opponents but it was the Eagles who prevailed, claiming their first state title.
In the opening set, Overton capitalized on a couple of Trojan errors and their own strong play to get ahead 3-0. They didn't stop there as they pushed the lead to 7-2 before Cambridge's Head Coach Lauren Carpenter took a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Eagles kept pushing forward as they at one point led 10-3.
At that juncture of the set, Cambridge began chipping away at the Overton lead. Cambridge took it one point at a time and there were some ups and downs. Cambridge trailed 23-12, but they kept fighting. Overton was forced to take a timeout when Cambridge got within six at 24-18. Cambridge reeled off three more points, but Overton scored one more to take the set at 25-21.
In the second set, there were a number of ties that kept the action close. Cambridge took the lead early in the set, up 3-2. Then the Eagles tied it up at 4-4. The teams went back and forth for a few points, but Overton created a gap and led 9-6. Cambridge tried to weather the storm but then found themselves down 12-8 before taking a timeout to slow down the run.
After the timeout, Cambridge kept fighting. They took the lead at 18-17 but service errors late in the set doomed the Trojans. Overton went up 21-20, and clung to the lead to close out set two at 25-21.
In the third and final set of the match, Overton went up early at 3-1. Cambridge though, countered and tied things up at 5-5. Then, Overton went on a 4-0 run and Cambridge was forced to take a timeout. After the timeout, Cambridge struggled for a little while to get back into the set.
Cambridge was down 17-9 and they started the comeback. Cambridge went on a 4-0 run to get within four at 17-13. Overton scored next, but Cambridge stayed the course and reeled off three in a town to get it to 18-16.
Overton took a timeout to regroup.
Cambridge kept pressing on and tied it up at 19-19. Cambridge took the lead at 20-19 and then Overton used their second timeout down by one.
It became a seesaw affair between the two squads. It was tied at 21-21, and Cambridge took the lead at 22-21. The teams traded leads and were tied up until the 27-27 mark. Service errors again were troublesome for Cambridge, and Overton took advantage, winning 29-27.
For Overton, it is their first-ever volleyball state championship. Last year they were the runners-up in Class D2. They were led by Jolee Ryan and her 15 kills. Natalie Wood added 14 kills for the Eagles too. Ashlyn Florrel had a nice match with 31 assists and 26 digs. Their final record is 32-3.
For Cambridge, this is their third runner-up finish at state in school history. They end their season at 28-5. Cambridge was led by Jalen Kent and Erin Johnson each with 13 kills. Brylyn Springer added seven kills. Mallory Springer had 30 assists. Bailee Ahlemeyer had 30 digs in the match too.
To catch the last podcast update from down at state, listen here.