NPCC Knights – Page 43 – North Platte Post Archive

Matt Thomas of Elkhorn South Inks with NPCC Knights

Posted on April 9, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College men’s basketball team announced Wednesday the signing of Elkhorn South’s Matt Thomas to a Letter of Intent to play basketball with the Knights next year as the first member of the 2014 signing class.

Thomas joins the Knights after leading the Elkhorn South Storm to a third-place finish in the 2014 Class B State Tournament after a fourth-place finish in 2013. The 6’0 guard led the Storm to an undefeated regular season and a 26-1 final record. Thomas averaged 18.9 points per game, good for 14th in the state and second in class B to go along with 4.3 assists per game, 2.4 steals per game and 2.2 rebounds per game.

Thomas was named to the Omaha World Herald and Lincoln Journal Star’s All-Nebraska second-team along with being named first-team Class B and the honorary captain by both publications. Thomas was also named to the All-Class State Tournament All-Tournament Team and Class B State Tournament All-Tournament Team.

Thomas competed with the Omaha Sports Academy National team during the summer.

“We are excited to have Matt join our program,” said head coach Kevin O’Connor. “He is everything we look for in a student-athlete. He is a very talented all-around basketball player that can really score and is a very quality young man.”

NPCC Knights Softball Third at NCCAC Tournament

Posted on April 8, 2014

Columbus – The North Platte Community College Softball team (5-21) finished third on Sunday at the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference (NCCAC) Tournament Sunday afternoon in Columbus. The Knights opened up the tournament with a loss to the McCook Community College Indians 3-6 before rebounding to defeat the Southeast Community College Storm 10-6. The Knights then closed out the tournament falling to the host the Central Community College Raiders 4-7 to finish third in the tournament.

In the opening game, Shannon Lieber took the loss on the mound giving up five hits and two unearned runs. Soliel Atenza and Jazmin Chang led the Knights at the plate going 2-3 to go along with a homerun for Chang.

In the second game of the day Katharine Savolt earned the victory on the mound for her first victory of the season. Savolt allowed four hits and two earned run. Lieber earned the save with three hits and one earned run. Lexi Bryant led the Knights at the plate going 4-4 with three doubles, two RBIs and scored three times. Savolt and Chang each went 3-4 from the plate as Change scored three runs.

In the final game of the tournament, Lieber again took the loss giving up six hits and two earned runs. Lieber also led the Knights at the plate going 3-4 with an RBI. Atenza was 2-3 as was Brooke Wakefield.

“We played more consistent on Sunday and will continue to get better,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. If we eliminate a few key errors and keep the other team from scoring multiple runs on two outs then it is a different ball game in both our losses.”

“I am proud of these girls for battling through the injuries and sickness and still giving it their all.”

The Knights return to the diamond on Friday at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. against the Hastings College JV at the Dowhower Softball Complex. The Knights then take to the road on Tuesday April 15 to face the Iowa Western Reivers.

Montalvo Commits to Texas State

Posted on April 4, 2014April 4, 2014

North Platte Community College sophomore guard for the men’s basketball team, Ethan Montalvo committed on Thursday to play at Texas State University.

Montalvo received interest from a number of NCAA Division I schools but made his decision after his visit to the campus in San Marcos, Texas.

Montalvo will go down as one of the greatest players in North Platte Knights history. He was named the Region IX South Sub-Region player of the year this past season to go along with being named to the Region IX First Team and the Region IX All-Tournament team. Montalvo finished his career at NPCC without ever losing at his home gym of McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on the South Campus of North Platte Community College with a 28-0 record. He also ranks fifth all-time on the Knights career scoring list with 1,173 points. Montalvo started every game of his Knights career and tied for the most games played in a Knights uniform at 68.

This past season Montalvo led the Knights to a second-place finish in the South Sub-Region of Region IX and to the semifinals of the Region IX Tournament. He led the team in scoring at 18.9 points per game. He also averaged 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

The Bobcats of Texas State University play in the Sunbelt Conference and finished with an 8-23 overall record this season. Montalvo will likely have opportunities to play against some of the nation’s top talent and top teams while in San Marcos. This past season the Bobcats played Texas out of the Big 12, Utah from the PAC 12 and Larry Brown’s SMU Mustangs.

NPCC Lady Knights Sabrina & Sandrina Hallahan Sign with Kansas Wesleyan

Posted on April 1, 2014

Sabrina Hallahan Sandrina Hallahan Sally Thalken NPCC Knights Volleyball — Sandrina (left) and Sabrina (right) Hallahan are joined by Lady Knights head coach Sally Thalken as they ink Letters of Intent to play volleyball at Kansas Wesleyan University

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights’ Sabrina and Sandrina Hallahan signed a National Letter of Intent Tuesday afternoon to play volleyball next year at Kansas Wesleyan University, a NAIA institution, for their junior season.

“I am really excited,” said Sandrina. “We didn’t expect to go to the same school, but it just kind of happened and I am excited it did. I don’t think we are ready to be separated yet.”

“When we visited the school, I really liked the girls on the team,” said Sabrina. “I felt like I fit in after we played with the girls. I also really liked the coaches.

The Hallahan’s will join a Lady Bobcat team that went 26-13 overall in 2013, including a 16-2 conference record. The Lady Coyotes ended their season in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship.

“The Hallahan’s came to North Platte and gave us two really good years,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “I think Sandrina will be able to help in the middle. Sabrina has worked really hard the last two years to get better and will be able to help on the outside.”

“It will be a new level of competition for these girls, but they are not afraid of hard work.”

Sandrina Hallahan was named to both the All-Region Division II and All-Tournament Division II Teams. Hallahan finished the season second on the team with 292 kills for the Lady Knights on a hitting percentage of .229. Hallahan also finished second on the team with 80 blocks. Hallahan had 34 kills in four games at the Region IX Division II Tournament to go along with seven blocks.

Sabrina Hallahan was named to the All-Tournament Division II Team. Hallahan had 25 kills in four games at the Region IX Tournament and had 22 digs in a game against Southeast Community College. Sabrina was second on the team with 381 digs andfinished the year with 238 kills, 283.5 points and 25 blocks.

NPCC Knights Softball Signs Audrie Conner of Gillette, Wyo.

Posted on March 31, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Softball team announced the signing of a National Letter of Intent by Audrie Conner of Campbell County High School located in Gillette, Wyo. Conner is a short stop and pitcher.

“I decided to attend North Platte Community College because everyone was very welcoming,” said Conner. “It was an all-around fun community and the campus is very, very nice and not too big!”

“I am excited because it’s always been a goal of mine to play at the next level and that what I have been given the opportunity to do! It’s definitely a dream come true!”

“Audrie will bring depth to our pitching staff and our middle infield,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “She has good movement on her pitches and range in the infield. We will look forward to seeing her in the pitching circle in the fall.”

“Audrie has worked so hard on and off the field for this important goal of hers! To see her reach it, couldn’t make our family more proud! Go Knights!” said Coach Conner, Audrie’s father and coach.

NPCC Knights Softball Swept By Iowa Western

Posted on March 30, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College softball team (4-19) was swept Saturday afternoon by the Iowa Western Community College Reivers (19-12). In the first game the Knights fell 11-0 in seven innings and in the second game fell 13-0 in five innings.

In the first game of the day, Katharine Savolt took the loss on the mound. Savolt had four strikeouts and gave up eight hits, including one home run. The Knights trailed the Reivers 0-2 after six innings, but gave up nine runs in the top of the seventh. The Knights had no hits and only two base runners as Siarra Velasquez and Britlee Anderson each drew a walk.

Shannon Lieber took the loss on the mound in the second game. Lieber gave up six hits, three walks and three earned runs to go along with a strikeout. Sydney Standage had the only hits for the Knights as she went 2-2 from the plate with two singles.

“Our biggest enemy was our offense today,” said head coach Janelle Higgins “as we were very undisciplined at the plate. We watched too many good pitches go by and swung at too many junk pitches. When you only have 4 base runners in two games it’s hard to win and even harder when you strikeout like we did today.”

“Iowa Western has a solid team and very tough pitchers. We still have work to do but there still is plenty of season left and we have our moments of being a solid team we just have to put it all together.”

The Knights return to the diamond on Monday when they host the Hastings College JV at the Dowhower Softball Complex at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

NPCC Knights Softball Lose at McCook, Cancel Friday Games

Posted on March 28, 2014

McCook – The North Platte Community College softball team (4-17) travelled to McCook Thursday afternoon where they dropped two games to the McCook Community College Indians (19-8) by the score is 1-2 and 1-9. The Knights have cancelled their games Friday with Iowa Western Community College.

In game one, the Knights fell by a score of 1-2 to the Indians. Katharine Savolt took the loss on the mound giving up one unearned run, three hits, three walks and had one strikeout. Shannon Lieber also pitched for the Knights giving up one hit and one walk.

Siarra Velasquez and Jazmin Change had the only hits for the Knights. Velasquez had a double, a stolen base and score the only run for the Knights on a sacrifice fly by Brooke Wakefield.

In the second game, the Knights again lost 1-9. Rylee Murphy took the loss on the mound on six runs, including three earned runs, three hits, three walks and one strikeout. Lieber again threw for the Knights giving up three earned runs on three hits, one walk and one strikeout.

Velasquez had the only run of the game for the Knights with a solo homerun in the first inning.

“For the first time this spring our defense was locked in for 7 innings (in the first game),” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “We didn’t get the wins but today was a good day for our softball program.”

“McCook has a solid team and the first game was a great game to watch. Game two we got a little too relaxed and allowed a few unearned runs, had a few errors and they found a couple gaps for a couple runs.”

“The last week we have really been focusing on improving our defense and it has finally showed.”

The Knights games with Iowa Western Community College on Friday have been cancelled. The Knights are scheduled to square off with Iowa Western on Saturday, weather dependent. The games on Saturday are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

NPCC Knights Softball Drop Four against Williston State, Game Time Moved Up Against McCook

Posted on March 27, 2014March 27, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College softball team (4-15) dropped four games to the Williston State College Tetons over the course of two days and two double-headers. On Monday, the Knights lost 0-7 and 5-10 while on Tuesday the Knights fell 7-20 and 8-16. The Knights return to action on Thursday March 27 as they travel to McCook Community College (16-7) to face the Lady Indians at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The games were originally schedule for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In the opening game on Monday, the Knights were held to only three hits. Jazmin Chang, Lexi Bryant and Katharine Savolt each recorded a hit for the Knights.

In the second game, the Knights were only able to muster three hits again but were able to score five runs. Brooke Wakefield led the Knights at the plate going 2-4, with one RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored. Britlee Anderson had the other hit going 1-3 with one RBI, one stolen base and one run scored.

“On Monday we did not carry over our offense from the day before and struggled at the plate,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “Their pitcher had a very decent rise and we fell for it all day.”

On Tuesday, the Knights bats woke up a little as the Knights recorded seven hits. Anderson led the Knights going 2-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored. Soliel Atenza, Rylee Murphy, Sydney Standage, Brittney Odum and Chang all recorded a hit for the Knights. Six runners were left on base.

In the fourth game of the series, the Knights recorded nine hits. Atenza led the way by going 2-3 from the plate. Siarra Velasquez, Wakefield, Anderson, Savolt, Chang, Murphy and Odum all had a hit in the game. Velasquez had three stolen bases while Wakefield had two.

“Tuesday was a rough day. We relied on (Katharine) Savolt and (Rylee) Murphy to pitch,” said Higgins “they stepped up to the challenge but our defense did not show up. We committed too many errors behind them both to win.”

“Our team is young and still adjusting but they have showed a great amount of fight to be down like we were on Tuesday and fight to get runs. I am proud of these girls. We have tough games the next three days as we play McCook Community College and Iowa Western Community College. We are going to have to show up and be ready from the beginning to the end of all three games. It’s not how we start the season it is how we finish and I am still confident and believe that we will start getting the wins and make a run this next month.”

After the Knights face McCook on Thursday, the Knights return home for a four game series with Iowa Western Community College on Friday and Saturday. The games on Friday are scheduled for 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and the games on Saturday are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

NPCC Knights Volleyball’s Shannon Liewer Signs with Peru State College

Posted on March 25, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights’ Shannon Liewer signed a National Letter of Intent Tuesday afternoon to play volleyball next year at Peru State College, a NAIA institution, for her junior season.

“I am very excited to be continuing my career at the next level,” said Liewer. “North Platte Community College has been a great place for me the past two years and has prepared me for the next step in my career. I want to thank everyone at NPCC who has made my career here successful and very memorable.”

Liewer will join a Lady Bobcat team that went 21-14 overall in 2013, including a 4-5 conference record. The Lady Bobcats ended their season in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Quarterfinals.

“I am unbelievably excited for Shannon to continue her career,” said Lady Knight’s head coach Sally Thalken. “She has been a huge part of our success here the last two years and we will greatly miss her. We hope that all of our players aspire to be like Shannon to continue their careers at the next level.”

Liewer was a captain in 2013 for the 22-15 Region IX Division II Runner-Up Lady Knights and etched her name in the Lady Knights Record Book in two season categories and three career categories. Liewer was named to the NJCAA All-American Honorable Mention team and All-Region IX Division II team earlier this year.

Liewer 2013 season goes down as the 8th best all-time for total digs as she finished with 831. Liewer played in 141 sets, good for a 5.9 digs per set average that places 10th all-time in season digs per set.

As a Lady Knight, Liewer ranks 6th all-time in career digs with 1,342. She has played in 274 sets in her career to place 5th all-time in career digs per set with a 4.90 average. Liewer also checks in at 17th all-time in career aces as she finished with 96. As a sophomore in 2013 she had 49 aces to go along with 47 as a freshman.

NPCC Knights Softball Signs Reanna Crane of Maxwell

Posted on March 24, 2014

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Softball team announced the signing of a National Letter of Intent by Reanna Crane of Maxwell High School.

“I’m excited for the new academic and athletic challenges and opportunities that I’ll be offered,” said Crane. “It’s exciting to further my career in softball and to do it in a place where I’ve grown up playing.”

Crane was joined on her signing day by her Express Club Coach Mark Franzen (back left), her parents Tara Crane and Allen Crane (back middle) and Maxwell’s superintendent and athletic director Mr. Boucher (back right).

“Anna is a very dedicated, smart and athletic young lady,” said Coach Franzen “and will be a huge addition to the NPCC Knights softball program.”

“Anna will bring some depth to our middle infield and speed in our offense,” said head coach Janelle Higgins. “She has been a multi-sport athlete in high school which is always a positive.”