Knights fall in three to No. 5 Plainswomen

Sterling, Colo. – North Platte Community College volleyball fell in straight sets, 25-19, 25-7, 25-8, to Northeastern Junior College on the road on Saturday afternoon.

Outside hitter Makenna Stephenson led the Knights with 10 kills and eight digs, while teammate Khloee Wright anchored the defense with 11 digs.

"I thought we played well in the first set, but I would have liked to see us finish," said head coach Alexa McCall. "We were stuck in serve receive too many times and just couldn't find any momentum."

North Platte jumped out to a 6-2 lead behind a pair of aces from Kiley Kearney to open the match. Northeastern eventually found their rhythm, responding with a 6-0 run to even the score at 16-16, before a kill from Khloee Wright briefly halted their momentum. The Plainswomen quickly regained control, closing the set on a 9-2 run to secure a 1-0 advantage.

Riding that momentum, Northeastern opened the second set with a dominant 16-0 run. Kills from Wright and Stephenson ended the long rally, but the Knights were held to just seven points as the Plainswomen took a two set lead.

The third set mirrored the second, as the Plainswomen maintained control, holding the Knights to just eight points to complete the sweep.

North Platte (9-14) continues Region IX play on Tuesday against Southeast Community College. First serve is set for 6 p.m. in Lincoln.