Knights slay Hawks in hard fought win

North Platte, Neb. – The North Platte Community College volleyball team used a home court advantage to defeat the Northeast Community College Hawks in five sets Saturday afternoon. Northeast is currently ranked 20th in NJCAA Division II standings. 

The Knights took the lead initially in the first set. They lost it for good after Northeast tied the game 8-8 then went on a six-point run. Emily Johnson slowed the charge briefly with a kill. It wasn't enough to quell the Hawks' momentum completely, however, and they forged on, claiming a nine-point lead and eventually closing out the frame 25-15. 

North Platte bounced back in the second set, powered early on with kills by Vanessa Wood and Shamia Grandison. The teams tied twice before the Knights went on a five-point run of their own bringing the score to 10-5. 

The Hawks slowly inched their way back until they were only a point behind. A scuffle at the net resulted in a replay at the 16-12 mark. North Platte took the lead thereafter and held onto it to the end when Sam Riggles won with a kill, 25-20. 

Northeast scored the first couple of points in the third set. North Platte caught up to tie the game 4-4 then remained neck-and-neck with the Hawks until about the halfway mark. Northeast then pushed past the Knights and cruised to a 25-20 win. 

North Platte jumped out to a 7-0 run in the fourth set, and the resurgence didn't stop there. Unable to contain the Knights' offense, the Hawks fell behind by seven points. A block by Riggles brought the score to 24-15. The Knights were stopped as Northeast staged a comeback, gaining five points in the process. North Platte was finally able to close out the set 25-20. 

Wood scored the first point in the fifth set, but the victory was short-lived, and Northeast pulled ahead 4-3. A block by Grandison tied the game, and a subsequent ace on the part of Aubrey Grant put the Knights out in front. Back-to-back kills by Wood and Grandison helped NPCC reach a six-point lead. The Knights ultimately won the set 15-9. 

"I'm really pleased with how we played today," said NPCC Head Volleyball Coach Alexa McCall. "I thought we stayed aggressive and, after our first defense, really stepped up. This was a great win against a good team and just what we needed." 

Wood led the team with 22 kills and 21 digs. Grandison had nine kills and four solo blocks. Elsie Ottun recorded 19 assists, while Grant contributed 17. Altogether, Jaelyn Dicke went for 23 digs. 

The win brings North Platte to 6-12 on the season. 

They will take to the road for their next game. NPCC plays McCook Community College in McCook at 6 p.m. Tuesday.