The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (17-10) volleyball team fell twice on Friday afternoon on the first day of the Jimmy John Invite in Columbus. The Lady Knights played their third straight five set match this week against the #20 Bismarck State College (28-4) Lady Mystics (28-4). The Lady Knights would fall after taking a 2-1 lead (25-22, 21-25, 25-22, 17-25, 10-15). The Lady Knights would immediately return to the court and lose in straight sets to the top ranked Cowley County Community College (22-3) Lady Tigers (16-25, 18-25, 12-25).

The Lady Knights would start out the opening game of the day well as they would win the opening set 25-22 over the Lady Mystics. Bismarck would then even the game at one set apiece as they would win the second set 21-25. North Platte would then take a 2-1 lead as they would go on to win the third set. The teams continued the pattern of alternating set wins as the Lady Mystics would win the fourth set 17-25. Bismarck would upset the pattern and take the fifth set and the game as they won 10-15.

The Lady Knights were led by Samantha Kennedy who finished with 12 kills and four blocks. Kylie Wroot (11), Sabrina Hallahan (11) and Sandrina Hallahan (10) were in double figures for kills. Joli Hopping led the Lady Knights with 25 assists and Laura Beckman wasn’t far behind with 23. Shannon Liewer paced the Lady Knights with 19 digs.

The Lady Knights would get no rest as next up was Division II #1 Cowley County Community College. The Lady Tigers would take the first set 16-25. Cowley County would continue their strong play as they won the second set 18-25 and would end the game with a 12-25 third set victory.

Samantha Kennedy and Sandrina Hallahan would both have seven kills to lead the Lady Knights. Shannon Liewer would have 19 digs to pace the Lady Knights while Joli Hopping had 18 to go along with her team leading 14 assists.

The Lady Knights return to action tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. as they face Division I #8 Iowa Western Community College and then face Kansas City Kansas Community College at 1 p.m. to finish out the invite.

The Lady Knights remain on the road the rest of the season as they travel to Torrington, Wyo. on Monday October 14 to face Eastern Wyoming College at 7 p.m. and to Columbus on Thursday October 17 to face Central Community College at 7 p.m. The game against Eastern Wyoming can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410.