Trojans advance to district final

CAMBRIDGE - After each team had largely dominated their first round matchups at D1-12 Subdistrict Tournament, the Cambridge and Southwest volleyball teams squared off one final time this season for the Subdistrict title and an automatic berth in Saturday’s district final.

The gym was packed, the competition was fierce and some of the roars from approving fans were as loud as Cambridge’s gymnasium had produced in a long time as Cambridge made the plays late to secure a 25-20, 26-24, 25-16 victory.

The Trojans led almost the entire way through sets one and three, building leads as large as seven midway through each set. The Roughriders climbed back within three on multiple occasions in the first, but could not climb out of the hole.

The second set produced the most drama and was one that got away from the Roughriders.

Southwest had controlled the set early, then saw a fourpoint lead evaporate as the Trojans pulled even at 13.

But Southwest extended rallies with its defense and took advantage of Cambridge errors to immediately stretch a lead again. The Roughriders scored four-straight to lead 17-13 and surged again to go up 23-18.

With an advantage in size, the Trojans used their block to climb back into contention, closing within 23-22.

Still, Southwest had two set point chances, but the Trojans erased those with a 4-0 run to take a 26-24 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match, each point producing a louder roar than the tally before.

With momentum idling on the Trojans’ side, Cambridge pushed out to a 9-2 lead in the third, but Southwest didn’t roll over.

The Roughriders got within four on two accounts before Cambridge closed out the match with an 11-6 to run.

Jacey Kent hit .333 and led a balanced attack with 13 kills. Autumn Deterding added 10 kills and Jalen Kent put down nine. Erin Johnson and Schyler Hoberty each had eight. Breelle Miller paced the offense with 44 assists.

Jacey Kent added three ace serves and Bailee Ahlemeyer had two.

Defensively, Jalen Kent led five players in double-figures with 22 digs. Miller had 17 digs and Jacey Kent had 16 while Ahlemeyer added a dozen and Carsyn Hanes had 10. Miller and Deterding each had two stuff blocks.

Statistical information for Southwest was not available as of press time.

The Trojans advance to Saturday’s district final against Central Valley.