The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (17-12) volleyball team finished the Jimmy John Invite with a 0-4 record after losing two more on Saturday. The Lady Knights opened up the day with the Division I #8 Iowa Western Community College Lady Reivers (31-3) who they lost to in straight sets (22-25, 10-25, 16-25). The Lady Knights would then square off with the Kansas City Kansas Community College Lady Blue Devils who they would also fell to in straight sets (16-25, 20-25, 22-25).

The Lady Knights gave the Lady Reivers all they could handle in the opening set of their game this morning as the set would not be decided until the final point as Iowa Western would hang on to win 22-25. The Lady Reivers would then take control of the match as they won the second set 10-25 and the third set 16-25.

Samantha Kennedy led the Lady Knights with six kills in the match and Joli Hopping led the team with 17 assists. Shannon Liewer and Samantha Byrn each had eight digs for the Lady Knights.

“I thought our kids played really hard in the first set,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “Iowa Western is very big and very good. They regrouped and raised the bar.”

In the second game of the day for the Lady Knights they started out slowly as they would fall to the Lady Blue Devils in the opening set 16-25. The Lady Knights would go toe-to-toe with Kansas City Kansas in the second set before falling 20-25 and then would push the Lady Blue Devils to the limit before falling in the decisive third set 22-25.

The Lady Knights were led by Samantha Byrn who finished with seven kills in the game. Shannon Liewer paced the Lady Knights with 16 digs and Joli Hopping had 12 assists. Samantha Kennedy and Sandrina Hallahan each had three blocks for North Platte.

“We played some very good teams this weekend,” said coach Thalken. “We knew coming in it would be a challenge but we welcomed the opportunity. We are at a critical point in our season. We have a short turnaround as we are again on the road and play Eastern Wyoming on Monday.”

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 Monday with Eastern Wyoming College will be broadcast live on ESPN 1410.