The No. 16 North Platte Community College Lady Knights (14-6) fell on Friday to the Division II nationally ranked No. 3 and No. 5 teams in the nation. The Lady Knights opened up the Johnson County Invite by facing the hosts #3 Johnson County Community College Lady Cavaliers (15-5) and falling in straight sets (16-25, 18-25, 19-25). The competition remained excellent for the Lady Knights as they next faced the #5 Kirkwood Community College Lady Eagles (19-4). The Lady Knights would again fall in straight sets (18-25, 17-25, 16-25).

The Lady Knights started out slow in the first set as the Lady Cavaliers raced out to a 16-25 first set victory. The second set saw the Lady Cavaliers again defeat the Lady Knights by a score of 18-25. The third set was again won by the Lady Cavaliers 19-25 to win the match and to end the Lady Knights four game win streak.

The Lady Knights were led by Sandrina Hallahan who finished with 11 kills for the match followed by Samantha Kennedy and Samantha Byrn with seven kills apiece. Joli Hopping paced the Lady Knights with 19 assists while Sabrina Hallahan and Shannon Liewer each had eight digs for the Lady Knights.

The second match of the day again saw the Lady Knights start out slow as they fell 18-25 in the first set to the Lady Eagles. The Lady Knights could not generate any traction in the second set as they lost 17-25. The Lady Eagles were able to finish out the match with a third set victory 16-25.

Sandrina Hallahan, Samantha Kennedy and Kylie Wroot each had five kills in the second match of the day to lead the Lady Knights. Joli Hopping led the Lady Knights with 13 assists while Laura Beckman had 10. Shannon Liewer led the Lady Knights defense with 23 digs.

“We played some really good competition today,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “We are prepared to rebound tomorrow.”

The Lady Knights continue action in the Johnson County Invite tomorrow morning against Iowa Lakes Community College at 9 a.m. and then face Coffeyville Community College at 11 a.m. to finish out the invite. .

The Lady Knights return home next week on Thursday October 3 for a match against Northeast Community College at 7 p.m. It is the first of a three game home stand and the last three home games of the year for the Lady Knights.