The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (16-7) volleyball team overcame a slow start on Thursdaynight to defeat he Northeast Community College Lady Hawks (11-11) in a four set battles (28-30, 25-22, 25-20, 25-21). All four games were very competitive, however the Lady Knights were able to finish the second, third and fourth sets strong to claim victory.
The first set was the Lady Hawks get out to a fast start as they jumped out to a 0-3 lead before the Lady Knights could score their first point. The Lady Knights would cut the lead to 3-4. The match would then go back and forth with neither team gaining more than a two point advantage as both teams traded side outs.
The Lady Hawks would take a 16-18 lead before the Lady Knights would go on a 6-0 run gain a 22-18 advantage and forced a timeout. The Lady Knights would earn three set points as they took a 24-21 lead. However the Lady Hawks would not go quietly and battled back to tie the game at 24. The teams would trade side outs until the Lady Hawks would take the first set 28-30.
The third set was back and forth early as neither team could gain an advantage until the Lady Knights took the lead 9-6. The Lady Knights would stretch the lead to six at 17-11. Once again the Lady Hawks would not go quietly and would tie the game at 19. The Lady Knights then had two blocks to earn points and were able to force a timeout from Northeast after leading 23-21. The Lady Knights would even the game at one game apiece after taking the second set 25-22.
The Lady Knights and Lady Hawks would battle back and forth at the start of the third set as neither team could gain more than a one point advantage until the Knights scored three points in a row to take a 13-10 lead. The slim margin would be enough as the Lady Knights finished off the third set with a 25-20 victory.
The Lady Hawks would start the fourth set strong as they jumped out to an early 1-5 lead. The Lady Hawks would maintain their early lead as they led the Lady Knights 5-11 before North Platte would start to chip away until they were able to tie the game at 17. The Lady Knights would continue to ride the momentum as they opened up a two point lead at 20-18. The Lady Knights would extend the lead to close out the set and the game 25-21.
“We didn’t start out very well,” said sophomore Sabrina Hallahan. “I thought we fought back and overcame some adversity, especially in that fourth set to come back to win.”
The Lady Knights were paced by Samantha Kennedy who finished with 12 kills and six blocks, Sandrina Hallahan who finished with 10 kills and six blocks and Sabrina Hallahan who finished with nine kills and 19 digs. Joli Hopping led the way with 24 assists and Laura Beckman had 18. Shannon Liewer led the Lady Knights with 30 digs.
“Northeast has a salty team,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “It shows character from our girls to come back from the 11-17 deficit (in the fourth set). I don’t like putting ourselves in that position, but I was glad we were able to come back.”
The Lady Knights remain at home next week in their final two home games of the season as they host Northeastern Junior College on Monday at and Southeast Community College on Wednesday October 9. On Monday the Lady Knights are welcoming students and families from Osgood School and Lake School with free admission. The Lady Knights have worked with student from these schools as part of their outreach program. Also on Monday, it will be a “Pink Out” in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1410.
On Wednesday the Lady Knights will honor their five sophomore; Sabrina Hallahan of Brush, Colo., Shannon Liewer of Imperial, Sandrina Hallahan of Brush, Colo., Jacee Kershaw of Culbertson and Laura Beckman of Julesburg, Colo. The game will start at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1410.