Tuesday was the final evening of the RPAC Volleyball Tournament as the 3rd and 4th place and the championship matches were on display. And we saw a ton of great volleyball action in both matches at the Graff Events Center in Mccook.
We begin with the 3rd and 4th place match between #2 seeded Cambridge from the East playing #2 seed Paxton from the West. Cambridge was able to win the match in three sets. The first set was a feeling-out process for both teams. But Cambridge took it 25-20. The second set was controlled completely by Cambridge. Paxton found themselves behind 13-4 early and had to take a timeout.
Cambridge continued their strong play and won 25-16.
In the third set, Cambridge again controlled a lot of the action and won 25-20.
Erin Johnson led the Trojans with 15 kills, six aces, and 14 blocks. Mallory Springer had 33 assists in the match.
Audrey Holm led the Tigers with 11 kills and 15 digs and Jacelyn Jorgensen had seven kills and four blocks.
Cambridge finishes 3rd in the tournament, which is the third time they have done that in the RPAC's existence.
Paxton, places 4th, and that is the second time they have done that in the RPAC Tournament.
In the title match, it was the #1 seeds pitted against one another, from the East, #1 Southwest, and from the West #1 Wallace. Southwest won in three sets, taking home their first-ever RPAC Volleyball Tournament Championship. Each of the three sets were competitive between the Roughriders and the Wildcats.
In the first, it was a back-and-forth affair that had the teams tied up at 18-18. Southwest though was able to take the lead and not look back winning 25-21.
In the second set, Wallace controlled a good chunk of it. Late in the set, the Wildcats led 23-19. Southwest took a timeout and regrouped. The Roughriders stormed back and won the set 26-24.
In the third set, it was almost déjà vu, but in reverse. Southwest led 23-19 late in the set. Wallace though came back to make things very interesting. Southwest was able to close it out though, with a 25-23 set victory.
For Head Coach of the Roughriders, Kim Barnett, needless to say, she is thrilled about Southwest getting their first-ever RPAC Volleyball Title. "These girls have done such a great job this season. It's just the cherry on the top."
Southwest was led by senior Bryn Lampe and her 39 assists and four blocks. Kyra Nelms led the attack with 15 kills, and then Anikka Nelms, Atleigh Nelms, and Payton Truksa each had nine kills.
Wallace was led by Kendyl Flaming's 14 kills while Kaley Sauser had 24 assists in the match. Mariana Acevez-Lopez picked up 17 digs in the match.
Wallace finished as a runner-up and this is the second time they have completed the tournament in that fashion, along with two other titles.
Teams will begin prepping for postseason play.