Cambridge Trojan spikers pound Southwest at sub-district tourney

COZAD -- The top-ranked Cambridge Trojans pound Southwest at the Nebraska Class Class C2-10 sub-district at Cozad Tuesday night 25-19, 25-22, and 25-15.

The Trojans have a winning record of 23-2.

The Trojans play Alma in the sub-district championship match on Thursday night. Alma (24-4) defeated North Platte-St. Patrick's 22-25, 25-18, 25-18, 20-25, 15-12 in Tuesday's other sub-district semifnal match.

Shelby Schultz led with 22 kills, 10 digs, 3 blocks and 4 points. Traci Keyser had 12 kills, 11 digs, 5 ace serves, 2 blocks and 11 points.

Frankie Petersen was tops in assists with 39 and added 1 kill, 8 digs, 1 ace serve and 5 points. Lynae Lytle had 5 kills, 3 digs, 2 blocks and 5 points.

Whitney Rice had 2 digs, 2 assists, 2 kills, 1 block, 2 ace serves and 12 points. Kellie Ballou had 4 kills, 3 digs and 3 blocks. Cody Long had 11 digs, 2 ace serves and 5 points.

"It's very difficult to beat any team in volleyball five times, especially a team like Southwest," said Cambridge coach Judy Mousel.

"These girls have one goal in mind and they know they have to take one game at a time and see every game as just another step closer to their goal.

"After last year's loss to Freeman in the state semifinals, they have been determined to make it to this year's final match in the state tournament. Lisa Lord did an excellent job of hitting our open spots on the court in Game 1.

"We made some adjustments defensively that helped and I told (Traci) Keyser she was going to have to elevated her level of play when (Lisa) Lord rotated out of the front row. She responded well and probably played her best match of the season."

"This was a well-deserved win, the girls have worked hard preparing both mentally and physically for every game this year, regardless of their opponent."

Southwest finished the season 17-14.

"We passed the ball very poorly due to tough Cambridge serving," said Southwest coach Dennis Troester. "Our inability to place serves allowed Cambridge to pass and run a very effective offense."

Seniors playing their final match for Southwest were Lisa Lord, Kelsey Coolidge, Ashley Weaver, Jennifer Daffer and Morgan Potthoff.

Potthoff led the team in assists with 25 and had 3 digs, 2 blocks and 9 points.

Megan Conway followed with 5 points, 2 aces and 7 kills and Lord had 4 points, 2 aces 14 kills and 4 blocks.

Eustis-Farnam reaches sub-district finals at Gothenburg -- Eustis-Farnam defeated Medicine Valley 25-8, 25-5, 25-10 and Maxwell 25-9, 25-15, 25-22 this week in volleyball action.

The Knights downed Maxwell in the championship of the D1-11 sub-districts on Tuesday and will go on to play the district finals on Thursday.

Lindsey Ferrell led the Knight with 12 kills 4 aces against the Raiders.

Katie Fagot and Jacey Schultheiss also had 4 aces each. Fagot also led in digs with 5 and Schultheiss had 8 kills.

Schultheiss led the team against Maxwell with 15 kills, 5 aces and had 5 digs. Kenzie Banzhaf, Fagot, Ferrell and Jordan Rieker all had 7 digs. Banzhaf also had 3 aces and Ferrell had 9 kills.

The Knights are now 24-6.

Perkins County advances at Ogallala -- Perkins County edged by Sutherland in the C2-11 sub-district championships Tuesday at Ogallala.

The Plainsmen won 25-23, 15-25, 25-19, 25-21.

"I could not have asked for anything better than this," said Perkins County Coach Penny Hite.

"Tonight was all about character and it shows what these girls are made of. If there was any way we could have proved to ourselves that we are a team it was winning that third set.

We've seen Sutherland too many times and we know they are a very good team but it shows us about our determination."

Carlie Sis put in 20 kills, 6 ace blocks, 13 blocks, 1 ace and 17 digs for Perkins County. Debi Johnson followed with 14 kills, 5 blocks, 2 assists, 1 ace and 7 digs. Mackenzie Hite had 2 ace blocks, 3 blocks. 38 assists, 3 aces and 16 digs. Jenni Sis also had 16 digs and Ashley Brott had 6 kills 4 ace blocks and 8 blocks. Tiffany Dahlkoetter had 2 ace blocks and 9 blocks and Brittany Ross had 6 kills and 8 blocks.

Perkins County will compete in the district finals on Friday.

Season ends for Southern Valley -- Southern Valley fell to Gothenburg in 3 of 4 sets Monday in sub-district action Monday 17-25, 25-17, 10-25, 16-25.

Justina Snider and Beretta Meyers were the leading scorers for the Eagles.

Snider served 10 points and Meyers had 9.

Jessica Murdoch led in kills with 8 and had 9 digs. Allison Hunt had 5 digs and 5 kills and Cassie Brooks had 7 digs and 19 assists.

Jesse Sadd had 8 digs and Meyers put in 4 aces.

Other sub-district play -- Chase County came up short to Gordon-Rushville in three sets in the C1-12 sub-districts in Scottsbluff. Chase County is 20-13.

Hitchcock County also lost in the championship round of the D2-10 at North Platte.

Paxton won over the Falcons in three sets. The Falcons are 22-9 and Paxton is 24-1.

The C1 and C2 district finals will be Friday and the D1 and D2 district finals are Thursday.

The winners will then advance to the state tournaments on Nov. 9-10 in Lincoln.