Knights Volleyball splits weekend triangular

Overland Park, Kan. – Knights Volleyball split its matches Saturday against Kansas City Kansas Community College and Johnson County Community College. 

North Platte Community College took down the KCKCC Blue Devils 3-1 in the triangular before being swept in three sets by JCCC. 

The Blue Devils fell to 15-6 overall, following their battle with the Knights. The final set scores were 25-13, 25-23, 18-25 and 25-13. 

Vanessa Wood led the action for the Knights with 11 kills and 14 digs. Jaelyn Dicke and EmiLee Walnofer each added 15 more digs. Elsie Ottun recorded 15 assists, and Aubrey Grant had 12. 

The Johnson County Cavaliers entered the triangular ranked No. 1 in NJCAA Division II standings. They jumped out to a six-point lead in the first set against the Knights and subsequently steamrolled their way to a 25-7 win. 

Set two was similar, with Johnson County taking an 8-0 lead. NPCC stalled the action twice at game point. It wasn't enough to change the outcome completely, however, and the Cavaliers closed out the frame 25-11. 

North Platte wasn't as easy to shake off in the third set. The game was 6-7 in favor of the Cavaliers when they went on an eight-point run. The Knights fought their way back to within two points, 24-22. Johnson County ultimately secured the victory 25-22. 

Wood posted seven kills in that game while Dicke contributed five and went for 10 digs. Walnofer was right behind her with nine digs, and Grant and Ottun each had seven assists. 

The Cavaliers improve to 24-0 on the season. North Platte is now 8-14 on the season. 

"We saw some really good competition today, and in the first game, we stepped up to the challenge," said Kylie Wroot, NPCC assistant coach. "Our defense picked up a lot of balls and kept us in system. We just can't be satisfied with one win – no matter who is on the other side of the net." 

The Knights will return home for their next match. They will host Hastings College JV at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the McDonald-Belton Gym. 

The night is designated as Camper Night. Children who attended a NPCC Volleyball camp in the summer, and a parent or guardian, will be admitted free if the kids wear their camp t-shirts.