Knights Volleyball ends regular season with loss to Raiders

The North Platte Community College volleyball team closed out the regular season with a hard-fought match against regional opponent Central Community College Thursday evening in Columbus. NPCC pushed the Raiders to a fifth set but ultimately fell 3-2. 

The Knights took the lead early on in set one and managed to remain a point or two ahead until an ace by Central tied the game 10-10. The Knights pulled out in front again on the next volley and pushed past the Raiders for a 25-22 win. 

The teams traded points back and forth in the second set until back-to-back aces on the part of the Raiders allowed them to take the lead. With a newfound confidence, Central went on a five-point run, widening the gap, 16-7. The Knights answered with a five-point run of their own. A time out by Central curbed the momentum and allowed the Raiders to close out the frame 25-18. 

Set three was marked by eight ties and three lead changes as both sides fought to distance themselves. Central finally pulled away 13-12 and used a four-point run to stay just out of reach. The Raiders would take the set 25-22. 

North Platte snatched the lead to start the fourth set and held a five-point advantage at 11-6. Central gradually chipped away at the deficit until tying the game 14-14. The teams remained neck-and-neck from then on as they raced to the finish line. They tied again 22-22, 24-24 and 25-25 before the Knights retook the lead and stole the win 27-25. 

The fifth set also came down to the wire. The Raiders grabbed the lead initially but were overtaken by the Knights 8-7. Central bounced back, reclaimed the lead for a point then dropped behind again. A block by the Raiders brought the score to 14-14. Central subsequently claimed a 16-14 victory. 

Vanessa Wood led the offense for the Knights with 22 kills in the match. Jaelyn Dicke followed with 18 kills, and Sam Riggles put down nine. Aubrey Grant came in with 28 assists while Elsie Ottun recorded 26. Defensively, Wood had 25 digs, and EmiLee Walnofer tallied 23. 

"When we are in system, we are hard to defend, and we are able to spread the ball around," said NPCC Volleyball Head Coach Alexa McCall. "We have to be able to control the ball more on our side to put us in those positions more often. It's also disappointing when you're in a position to win and can't finish the job. Lucky for us, records start over now, and we still have some great opportunities this week and will work hard in practice to prepare us the best way we can." 

The Knights end the regular season 13-20.   

They will host Southeast Community College next week in the opening round of the NJCAA Region 9 Postseason Tournament, entering the tourney as the #2 seed. First serve is at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. 

The winner will play Central Community College at 3 p.m. Oct. 28 in Columbus.