Falcons, Warriors score RPAC early-round upsets

The Arapahoe Warriors celebrate a winning moment with sophomore Clara Hilker (14) during Thursday’s RPAC tournament first-round match against Alma at Cambridge High School. Arapahoe went on to this 2-1 upset of the East No. 3 seed.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

BENKELMAN, Neb. — Hitchcock County shook the RPAC brackets with a surprising 3-0 tournament win over No. 2 host Dundy County-Stratton Thursday evening.

The Falcons evened their season record at 15-5 entering Monday’s semifinal against Maywood-Hayes Center.

Hitchcock first rallied past West No. 3-seed Maxwell 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 26-24.

The Falcons then swept through DC-S 25-23, 25-15, 25-22.

DC_S earlier delivered a 25-12, 22-25, 25-22, 25-16 victory over West No. 7 Paxton.

Meanwhile, the other RPAC No. 2 seed Cambridge defended its home floor with two tourney wins Thursday.

Cambridge made quick work of East No. 7 Hi-Line 25-13, 25-10, 25-5.

Arapahoe pulled thrilling upset as the East No. 6 seed.

Those Warriors constantly rallied before topping No. 3 Alma 20-25, 25-22, 14-25, 25-19, 15-13.

However, Cambridge responded with a 25-17, 25-11, 28-26 to set up Monday’s semifinal/East division final against Southwest at SWHS in Bartley.

Alma rebounded for a 25-20, 22-25, 25-20 consolation win over Hi-Line.