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Cambridge eliminated in 4 games

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By CARL KOTALA

Tribune correspondent

Published: November 15, 2009

MERRITT ISLAND - The road to the Class 1A-Region 3 final wasn't an easy one for the Cambridge Christian volleyball team, which had to avenge a district final loss to Canterbury to get there.

The trip to Merritt Island, however, proved to be one obstacle the Lancers couldn't overcome. Cambridge got off to a slow start and couldn't pull off one of its customary comebacks as Merritt Island Christian advanced to the state tourney for the third consecutive season with a 25-18, 25-9, 17-25, 25-20 victory Saturday.

"We played tense," Lancers coach Dave Wolcott said. "When you have to travel, there's a disadvantage. It makes a difference in the tenseness of the game. And with young athletes, those things tend to show themselves.

"(Merritt Island Christian) played very good, fundamental volleyball and we got out of our fundamentals. You could see where the wheels came off in those times."

Senior outside hitter Kirby Matthews had 10 digs and three aces for the Lancers (18-12). Sophomore Olivia Yeager had seven kills, four aces, three solo blocks and two assists. Junior Amber Rubright had seven kills and Melissa Olsson had six.

Senior setter Ashley Rubright said it was a great accomplishment to reach the region final and credited the Lancers' teamwork for making it possible.

"I think we just broke down," she said of Saturday's loss. "We lost our teamwork for that second game, especially. We were able to get it back for the third game and we brought it back for the fourth game, but we just weren't able to pull through."

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