Trojans Are Class D2 State Runners-Up and Tigers Take 4th
- Evan Jones
- Nov 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 10
Saturday was the final day of the NSAA State Volleyball Tournament. Cambridge was in the Class D2 Championship Match, and Dundy County Stratton was in the Class D2 Consolation Match. Check out the blog for more.
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Head Coach for the Trojans, Lauren Carpenter, arrived at the Bob Devaney Sports Center and was greeted with flowers from the team. Carpenter had their baby on Tuesday night and was on the sidelines on Saturday.
In set one, Cambridge struck first with a 6-1 lead and forced Wynot to call a timeout. Cambridge continued to keep the pressure on and extended their lead to 13-5. Wynot pulled within three, 15-12. The Trojans found a new gear and pulled away to force the Blue Devils to call their final timeout, 20-14. Cambridge went on to win the first set, 25-19, and take the 1-0 lead.
In set two, Cambridge took the 3-1 lead, but Wynot chipped away and tied the match at 8-8, which forced a Trojan timeout. Wynot went on a run to extend their lead to 20-14. Cambridge found a little momentum to cut their deficit to four, 24-20, and Wynot called a timeout to slow them down. Wynot went on to take set two, 25-21, and evened the match at 1-1.
In set three, Cambridge and Wynot battled back and forth. The Trojans started clicking and pulled ahead 15-11, and Wynot called a timeout. Out of that timeout, the Trojans kept their foot on the gas and extended their lead to 19-14, which forced the Blue Devils to call their final timeout. Cambridge clinched the third set, 25-16, and took the 2-1 lead.
In set four, Wynot jumped out in front first and took a 4-1 lead over Cambridge. The Blue Devils pushed forward and won the set, 25-17. Wynot evened the match at 2-2 and forced a fifth and deciding set.
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In the fifth set, Cambridge took the early 3-0 lead, and Wynot called an early timeout. There was a momentum shift as Kenna Oligmueller took over. The Blue Devils tied it at 3-3, then extended their lead to 5-3, and Cambridge called a timeout. Wynot kept the pressure on and extended their lead to 11-4, and Cambridge called their final timeout. Wynot kept pushing and took the set 15-5, to win the match, 3-2.
We caught up with Mallory Springer and Elisabeth Kubik prior to the match. Interviews are brought to you by Acme Printing Company.
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For Cambridge, Brooklyn Holtze had 22 kills, 21 assists, and 15 digs; Mallory Springer had 21 kills, 21 assists, and 25 digs; Joslyn Holtze had 16 kills and nine digs; Annabelle Taylor had four digs and two blocks; Kolbyn Clason had seven assists, two aches, and two digs; and Elisabeth Kubik had seven assists and 16 digs.
For Wynot, Kenna Oligmueller had 25 kills, nine of which came in the fifth set with zero errors, and nine digs; Mya Pinkelman had 11 kills, two digs, and three blocks; Jordan Foxhoven had seven kills, 31 digs, and two blocks; Taylor Pinkelman had three kills and three blocks; Tiara Sudbeck had three digs and four blocks; Haley Wieseler had 42 assists, two aces, eight digs, and eight blocks; Kiera Heimes had six digs; and Jaylin Geisen had 26 digs.
Check out our highlights from the match. Highlights are brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.
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Cambridge wrapped up their season with a record of 28-8 and the Class D2 State Runner-up trophy. This is the fourth runner-up trophy in school history, with the most recent being in 2023.
Wynot is the Class D2 State Champion — the first in school history — with a record of 31-4.
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The Tigers faced SEM in the consolation match at Lincoln East High School on Saturday morning. This was a rematch from September 20th, where the Tigers swept the Mustangs, 2-0, at the North Platte Community College Invite. Of course, at the NSAA State Tournament, you are going to see excellent volleyball, and this match was a display of that, too.
And anyone who has been in Lincoln East's gym knows that it is one that gets plenty loud, and both Dundy County Stratton and SEM fans showed out in a big way. The crowds were good-sized from both teams, and both displayed great support for their teams.
SEM found success in the first two sets as Tayrn Arbuthnot dominated in the front row, and the Mustangs as a whole were effective at keeping the ball off of the ground. SEM claimed the first set by a score of 25-19. In set number two, it was a very similar outcome as the Mustangs took the second set by a final of 25-20.
Dundy County Stratton did a nice job of regrouping and bouncing back after those first two losses. DCS was strong at the net from then on. Between Abi Spargo, Clara Spargo, Emily Schack, and others, DCS controlled things and captured momentum back. DCS took the third set 25-21. In the fourth set, DCS captured another win, 25-20.
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In those two sets, we mentioned the blocking, but serving was key too, and we saw Ava Lutz and others put pressure on the Mustangs. We went to a fifth and deciding set, and SEM controlled the action and won, 15-7, and won the match, 3-2.
We caught up with Shelby Zoltenko, head coach of the Tigers, after the match. Interviews are brought to you by Acme Printing Company.
For SEM, Taryn Arbuthnot had 30 kills, two aces, four blocks, and 24 digs; Kyler Jones had 15 kills, 12 digs, and six assists; Jaycelyn Hoos had six kills, three aces, 21 assists, and 23 digs; Mia Scoville had 10 digs and 13 assists; Ellie Scoville had five digs; Avery Harder had four assists; and Lily Hrasky had 19 digs.
Stats for Dundy County Stratton were not available at the time of writing this.
Check out our highlights from the match. Highlights are brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company.
SEM takes 3rd place in Class D2, and DCS takes 4th place.
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That's not all, as the Tigers received the Class D2 Sportsmanship award, and Southwest earned the Class D1 Sportsmanship award. Congratulations to Dundy County Stratton and Southwest on these honors!
Congratulations to all teams on great seasons!
