Knights drop road match to NJC

The North Platte Community College volleyball team suffered a tough defeat Saturday afternoon in Sterling, Colo. The Knights took on the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen and fell 3-0. They didn't go down without a fight. 

The match started out with seven ties and four lead changes in the first half of set one as both sides struggled to find consistency. NJC eventually pulled out in front for good and used a series of strategically placed kills to the back corners of the court to grow the deficit to 16-11. 

The Knights worked to close the gap with back-to-back kills by Vanessa Wood and a four-point run, but it wasn't enough. The Plainswomen closed out the frame with an ace, 25-20. 

The teams remained neck-and-neck throughout the second set – either tied up or separated by just a point. It was the Knights who controlled the action that time around by taking advantage of holes in NJC's system to stay just out of reach. The Plainswomen crept up to tie the game at the end 24-24 and ultimately claimed a 26-24 victory. 

NJC pulled ahead early in the third set and maintained the lead all the way through. The Plainswomen sealed the deal 25-14. 

"I thought in the first two sets we competed really well," said NPCC Volleyball Head Coach Alexa McCall. "We were able to go point-for-point and stayed tough. We had an opportunity to finish out the second set, but just couldn't get it done. Against a team of that caliber, you have to take advantage of those opportunities, and we fell short." 

Sam Riggles, Vanessa Wood and Jaelyn Dicke all had six kills in the match. Aubrey Grant registered 12 assists, and Elsie Ottun had 11. EmiLee Walnofer went for 15 digs, and Dicke recorded 11 more. 

"I think we put ourselves in some competitive positions this weekend that will help us going into this next week and the week of regionals," said McCall. "I am excited for these next few weeks to see how well we compete." 

North Platte is now 12-19 on the season while NJC moves to 27-2 overall. 

The Knights will face Southeast Community College Tuesday in their last home game of the season. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. NPCC's sophomores will be recognized immediately prior to the start of the match.