RV spikers fight off Cambridge

INDIANOLA -- Republican Valley, the No. 1-ranked volleyball team in Class D and the five-time defending state champions, fought off Cambridge 15-1, 15-12 Thursday at the RVHS gymnasium.

Cambridge, also ranked in Class D, tried to force a third game and led 8-0 and 12-9 in the second game before the Mustangs rallied.

"We played very well in the first set," said Mustangs' coach Dennis Troester. "Defense was excellent and we passed, set and hit the ball very well.

"In the second set, Cambridge came out and served very tough with their first two servers.

"We were unable to mount any offense and gave them free balls, which they capitalized on."

With the big lead, the Trojans missed five or six serves, which allowed the Mustangs back into the match, said Troester.

Brittany McConville served 4 points and had 14 ace sets for the Mustangs. Lindsay Esch served 12 points and Jaime Coolidge 7. Savannah Noyes had 10 kills and Caitlin Schaffert 6.

Chelsea Ruf had 12 set assists and served 4 points. Dana Volk, Amy Edgerton and Lisa Minnick each had 3 kills. Edgerton also served 5 points.

Republican Valley improved to 11-1 and Cambridge dropped to 11-5.

The Mustangs received a first-round bye at the Republican Valley League Tournament, which starts Monday at Arapahoe.

Tuesday, Republican Valley will play the Alma-Bertrand first-round winner.

Cambridge plays Southern Valley at 6:15 p.m. Monday.