Streak-stopping Eagles shake up RPAC tourney

The Southern Valey Eagles (above) were elated following a four-set upset of RPAC East No. 1-seed Cambridge in Monday’s tournament quarterfinals at Cambridge High School.

Steve Towery/McCook Gazette

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. — Don’t blame coach Jessi Thalheim if her feet barely touched the ground while soaring into Southern Valley’s school this morning.

The S.V. Eagles had stumbled a bit through their first 21 matches this season.

Everything purple really brightened when facing mighty rival Cambridge Monday night.

Suddenly, Southern Valley’s soaring again like defending RPAC champions while taking down the Trojans’ 20-set win streak since Sept. 15 — exactly 30 days ago.

“We really hadn’t clicked all year, but what a time to do it,” Thalheim declared following the Eagles’ thrilling 26-24, 25-23, 13-25 and 25-22 RPAC quarterfinal victory. “Cambridge is one of the best teams we’re going to play. You always to raise your level of play.”

“We played our best game of the season tonight,” she confirmed.

The Eagles (13-11 record) earned a spot in today’s semifinals thanks to super “ace” serving, total dedication and a strategy that prevailed despite 25 kills from Trojan rocket launcher Korynn Clason.

“We adjusted defenses to double block when she (Clason) was in front row and single blocked when she was in back,” Thalheim explained. “And we served so many aces tonight. Grace Hogeland’s serving accuracy was amazing.”

Hogeland and junior Lauryn Samuelson also powered the Eagle hitting attack.

Senior libero Sawyer Quinn covered the Cambridge floor brilliantly with many digs. Thalheim also described junior Mandy Schoen as a “tipped ball queen” on this night.

The Eagles spoiled a previously perfect Cambridge home record of 7-0 this season. In fact, the Trojans (18-4 overall) had only lost one home set to Bertrand on Aug. 30.

Cambridge’s 20-set win streak since the McCook Invite on Sept. 15 added up to nine straight match triumphs until Monday night.

Seniors Jenna Ebbers (nine kills) and Rylee Cross (six) teamed for another 15 lethal shots besides Clason’s 25.

Senior setter Kaelie Tomlin totaled an impressive 42 assists.

Clason served four aces, Cross rose for three stuff blocks and senior Cali Gunderson delivered two.

Senior Olivia Taylor and Clason each made a Trojan-best 22 digs.

Yet Cambridge will miss the RPAC semifinals at McCook Community College just like a year ago.

The Trojans dropped an RPAC quarterfinal match to Bertrand last season.

Now Southern Valley and Bertrand (12-9 record) will meet in today’s second RPAC semifinal.

Today's complete RPAC tourney schedule at MCC:

Semifinals

East final: No. 4 Southern Valley vs. No. 3 Bertrand, 3 p.m. West final: No. 1 Dundy County-Stratton vs. No. 3 Hitchcock County, 4:30 p.m.

Third-place match between semifinal losers, 6 p.m.

Championship match between semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.