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Cambridge primed to build on 23-10 season
CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Last year was fun, but 2017 looks to be even better. At least for Cambridge volleyball.
The Lady Trojans’ opponents? Not so much.
Cambridge returns seven players who saw extensive varsity action from last year’s 23-10 team that made the C2 Sub-State Round before losing to Southern Valley.
Lady Trojans head coach Margo Kent believes the talent level coming back will make this year’s Cambridge team one to watch.
“We return key players from last year’s 23-10 squad and have the talent to fill in the missing pieces,” she said.
Three seniors, one junior and two sophomores make up the seven returning letterwinners.
Among the seniors, Bria Tomlin returns after garnering All-RPAC honors in 2016. The 5-foot-7 serving specialist had a 96.6-percent serve percentage and 33 aces from a team-high 377 serve attempts last year. She also had a team-high 503 assists.
Tomlin will have a familiar face helping her in the back row. Her cousin, Kaelie Tomlin, had 251 assists in 2016 and looks to expand her role in this year’s team.
Aside from Bria Tomlin, the other returner with All-RPAC accolades is sophomore Korynn Clason. As a freshman, the 5-10 middle hitter recorded a team-best 68 blocks, 57 of which were solo, and had 161 kills which is best among returning players.
“She (Clason) is looking quite strong and will provide much of our firepower this year,” Kent noted.
Another girl to make an impact as a freshman in 2016 was 5-7 outside hitter Shaye Porter. Porter was among team leaders with 31 ace serves, 258 serve receptions and 217 digs. She also had 84 kills and 15 blocks.
Joining the sophomore duo up front will be seniors Baylee Miller and Kati Moore.
Miller put up 232 digs, 245 serve receptions and a team-high 35 ace serves in 2016. Her 16 terminations last year will almost certainly be surpassed early on this season.
Moore missed a large part of the 2016 campaign but will be another player Kent expects to have a bigger role.
Senior Bailee Porter will be returning as a defensive specialist for the Lady Trojans. Porter’s role didn’t allow her to put up major numbers, but her presence on the court allows an easy transition from defense to offense.
Kent indicated that senior defensive specialist Aubri Ross and junior outside hitters Olivia Taylor and Jenna Ebbers could be newcomers to keep an eye on this season.
While this team may not have one go to, devastating heavy hitter, Cambridge will feature plenty of team defense and efficient offense.
“We look to be a strong serving team and what we lack in firepower from last year we will make up for in defensive stands with this scrappy bunch,” Kent said.
The Lady Trojans will face stiff competition once again this year. The C2-10 subdistrict includes Dundy County-Stratton, which won 24 games and made the D1 State Tournament last year, and last year’s postseason nemesis in Southern Valley.
After close losses to Bertrand in the RPAC Tournament and Southern Valley in District and Sub-State matches, Kent noted that this year’s team has plenty of motivation.
“They are hungry for a conference title and berth at the state tournament.”
Cambridge opens the season with a triangular at Alma on Thursday, Aug. 31.