The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (8-1) volleyball team continued their winning ways on Thursday as they traveled to Sterling, Colo. where they defeated the Northeastern Junior College Plainswomen 3-1 (20-25, 27-25, 28-26, 25-17).
For the third straight game, the Lady Knights started out of the gate slow and dropped the first set. The Plainswomen took advantage as they took an early lead. The Lady Knights started to play better as the set progressed but it was too little too late as they fell 20-25.
The second set started out as the first set ended as the Lady Knights played well as they battled back and forth with the Plainswomen. In the middle of the set, the Plainswomen went on a 6-0 run to put them in prime position to go ahead two sets to none. However, the Lady Knights battled back to earn three set points before closing out the set 27-25 to even the match at one set apiece.
The third set was similar to the second set as the Lady Knights and Plainswomen battled back and forth early in the set. Once again the Plainswomen took a late lead 24-19. The Lady Knights battled back with a 5-0 run to tie the set at 24 apiece behind the serving of Samantha Kennedy. The Plainswomen earned two more set point opportunities but the Lady Knights were able to keep the Plainswomen from closing out the set before earning a set point of their own which they capitalized on to win the set 28-26 to take a 2-1 lead.
The Lady Knights capitalized on their momentum as they took a 6-2 lead at the start of the fourth set. The Lady Knights were able to hold off the Plainswomen as they enjoyed leads of 16-12 and 21-16 before closing out the set and the game 25-17.
The Lady Knights were led by Sabrina Hallahan with 10 kills and Kylie Wroot with nine. Samantha Kennedy contributed eight kills and led the team with five blocks along with Taylor King who also had five blocks. Shannon Liewer led the Lady Knights with 28 digs and Joli Hopping led the Lady Knights with 23 assists.
“It was a great win for us,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “NJC is a great team with some powerful players. We just stuck in there and never quit. We tried to stay aggressive and we worked really hard defensively. I’m really proud of our kids!”
The Lady Knights return home to McDonald-Belton Gymnasium next Wednesday September 11 as they take on fellow Nebraska Community College Athletic Association member McCook Community College at 7 p.m.