For the #1 seed in Class D2, the Cambridge Trojans, took care of business efficiently on Saturday afternoon as they beat #16 seeded Hay Springs in Grant. The Trojans won in three sets, 25-4, 25-14, and 25-14, in the D2-1 District Final making it to state once again this year.
In the first set, Cambridge was dialed in from the service line. They led 9-0 at one point in the first set after Erin Johnson reeled off five aces to set the tone for the Trojans. They maintained strong defense in that opening set to cruise to victory.
In the second set, it was similar. Hay Springs though did take an initial lead at 1-0. But Cambridge went on a 7-1 run before a timeout was taken by Hay Springs. The Hawks climbed back a little, getting it to 9-7. From there, Cambridge took over and won the set comfortably.
In the third and final set of the match. Cambridge started quickly again, up 14-7 before Hay Springs took a timeout. Cambridge just stayed the course and secured that win too.
After the match, we caught up with Lauren Carpenter, Head Coach of the Trojans and discussed how she kept the team focused. "(We) Just kept our eye on the prize. Knowing the end goal of this was going to state. They knew what they were working for.
For Cambridge, they had 18 aces. Erin Johnson had seven aces, and 11 kills. Jalen Kent added 16 kills. Brylyn Springer had four aces and nine kills.
Two other RPAC schools made the NSAA State Volleyball Tournament too. Wallace, in D2 and Southwest in D1. Check out the brackets below for Class D2 and D1.
This is the third year in a row Cambridge has made it and their 12th appearance. For Wallace, this is their 8th appearance and the first time since 2013. Since Southwest's consolidation, it's back-to-back seasons and their fifth appearance. But of course, Republican Valley had a number of appearances in the past, 13 to be exact.
It will be a wild weekend at Lincoln as all of these times will chase another title.
