GUYS MILLS — Cambridge Springs took care of business against region foe Maplewood 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-16), but the Tigers didn’t go away easily on Thursday night at The Woodshed.
Facing a 2-0 deficit — and after a five-minute interlude between sets that allowed fifth and sixth graders to show off their serving skills — Maplewood opened the third set on a roll.
The Tigers led 7-6 before the Blue Devils got their feet back under them and strung together some points. After 7-0 a Cambridge Springs run, Maplewood again rallied the troops and mounted an attack.
Maplewood, led by Zeke Mast and Logan Kier, cut the deficit to two at 17-15. That was close as the Tigers made it and Cambridge Springs ended the set on a 8-1 run for the win.
“We played a lot better tonight than we did against Saegertown. Tonight, we played defense well, we moved well and we talked well. I told the boys in the locker room they did very well tonight,” Cambridge Springs head coach John Turner said. “They need to keep that momentum going. We came out a little flat footed after that break tonight, but then they picked it up and went after it.”
Down two sets and on the receiving end of a 7-0 run could make you roll over and give up, but not Maplewood. Head coach Calum Hyde was extremely pleased with the fight his Tigers showed.
“These guys are athletes and love the game. We don’t have any energy vampires on the court to speak of. The fact they came back in the third set and played the way they did, I am over the moon excited about it,” Hyde said. “They played their heart out with no experience virtually. This was the first night Danny (Mast) set. He set for maybe a 15-point scrimmage last night in practice. I think he is taking to it like a fish to water and I think we’ll see a lot more of it.”
Cambridge Springs, after a slow start, led 17-12 in the opening set. The Tigers rallied and cut the Blue Devils’ lead to one, 19-18, but Cambridge Springs ended strong.
The second set was all Blue Devils. Cambridge Springs never trailed in the set and was dominant. Sophomore Isaiah Simpson had a run of seven points at the service line and delivered several high flying kills. Simpson ended the night with 13 kills. Senior Devin Laniewicz added eight. Rio Alejandro dished 25 assists and Seth Glenn had 15 digs.
“We have the talent. It’s just getting them playing together and feeling out who will do what. We are coming along. It’s taking time, but we’re getting there,” Turner said. “Take nothing away from Maplewood. They’re a scrappy team. To come out with a win like that, I thought was pretty good.”
Cambridge Springs is 4-2 overall and 1-1 in region play. The Blue Devils will play Crawford Christian Academy on Monday.
Maplewood’s Danny Mast dished 15 assists in his first match as a setter. Zeke Mast had eight kills and six digs while Logan Kier added four aces.
Hyde was happy to see his team respond to a brand-new lineup.
“I had put that lineup together lineup last night to try at our tournament on Saturday. Our hand was forced to play it tonight, but I think it might be my starting lineup for at least the next month,” Hyde said. “They had a huge hurdle to climb, having just tried that last night. For them to hang with Cambridge, second set aside, I am super proud of how they handled it. It’s not easy to come into a new rotation period, let alone the night before. I was excited to see them hang and compete with Cambridge, who has been playing together for a long time.”
The Tigers are 1-4 overall and 0-2 in region action. They will compete at the Seneca Valley Tournament on Saturday.
