Columbus – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (18-15) took to the road on Tuesday and Wednesday for a road swing against a pair of fellow Nebraska Community College foes. The first opponent for the Lady Knights was the Northeast Community College Lady Hawks (14-13) in Norfolk. North Platte went into the Lady Hawk’s gym and defeated them in four sets 25-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-16. In the second game of the road swing, North Platte faced the newly ranked No. 2 team in the nation, the Central Community College Lady Raiders (27-5) in Columbus. Central knocked off the Lady Knights in straight sets for the second time this season 19-25, 23-25, 20-25.
Against Northeast, the Lady Knights were led Samantha Kennedy who finished with 17 kills and three blocks. Samantha Byrn and Valerie Most were also both in double-figures with 14 and 10 kills respectively. Joli Hopping recorded all but two of the assists for North Platte, finishing with 48. Erica Goodwin led the way in digs with 33 while Kennedy (19), Kylie Wroot (15), Aryn Mesinger (14) and Hopping (12) also recorded double-figures.
In the second game against Central, Samantha Kennedy again led the way with 13 kills. Samantha Byrn finished with eight. Kennedy and Samantha Morgan led the way at the net each finishing with two blocks. Joli Hopping recorded 27 assists for North Platte.
The Lady Knights have two games remaining before they return to Columbus for the Region IX Division II tournament at the end of October. North Platte first travels to rival and fellow member of the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference McCook Community College Lady Indians (9-22) on Tuesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. The Lady Knights then return home on Thursday, October 23 for a match against Eastern Wyoming College at 7 p.m. for the home and season finale, along with Sophomore Night.