Knights fall to No. 4 Plainswomen in four sets

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College volleyball dropped a four-set match to No. 4 Northeastern Junior College at home on Friday night.

Jaelyn Dicke led the way with seven kills, 16 digs and three aces. EmiLee Walnofer added 11 digs, while Aubrey Grant served up 12 assists and one ace.

North Platte used a 5-0 run to erase a three-point deficit and take a two-point lead on a Plainswomen attacking error in the opening set. Northeastern responded by unleashing a 9-1 run, which forced a Knights timeout. Out of the break, the road team outscored North Platte to take the first set, 25-15.

Plainswomen marched out to a 9-1 lead to open the second set. Back-to-back runs helped stretch the margin to 19-5, but a 3-0 run sparked by a kill from Sydney Spillane briefly silenced the Northeastern momentum. Plainswomen continued to showcase their strength down the stretch of the frame to take a two-set advantage.

North Platte never trailed in the third set as they stretched their lead to seven after back-to-back kills by Zoe Maher. Northeastern rallied late in the set and cut the margin to three, which forced a black and gold timeout. Dicke answered with a kill out of the break to ignite a 5-2 rally that helped North Platte secure the set.

Knights fell behind early as the Plainswomen settled back into their rhythm offensively in the fourth set. The strength of the Plainswomen made it difficult for the Knights to rally, as they put the finishing touches on their win.

North Platte (10-20) returns to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Saturday for a triangular with Otero Junior College and Northeast Community College. North Platte begins the day with the Rattlers at 11 a.m., before taking on the Hawks at 3 p.m.