The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (5-1) traveled to Colby, Kan. this weekend to play in the Colby Classic. In their opening game of the Classic the Lady Knights fell to the Highland Community College Lady Scotties (25-19, 23-25, 26-28, 22-25) in four sets.

In the opening set the Lady Knights stormed out to a 25-19 victory. The Lady Scotties responded by winning a hard fought second set 23-25. The third set was another hard fought battle as the Lady Scotties again pulled it out 26-28. The Lady Scotties closed out the Lady Knights in the fourth set 22-25.

Samantha Kennedy led the Lady Knights with 18 kills and three blocks. Sabrina Hallahan was also in double figure kills with 12 kills. Joli Hopping had 23 assists and two ace serves to lead the Lady Knights. Laura Beckman had 20 assists. Shannon Liewer led the way with 28 digs.

“We started out good,” said head coach Sally Thalken “but when Highland (Community College) amped things up we got flat. We didn’t communicate and began to question ourselves. We gave up too many leads and just didn’t respond when the door was open for us. It will be another tough day tomorrow as Colby (Community College) is playing well and Trinidad State (Junior College) is a good team too.”

The Lady Knights return to the court at 10 a.m. tomorrow to face the host Colby Community College. The tournament is concluded for the Lady Knights as they take on Trinidad State Community College at 12 p.m.

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights (5-0) took to the road for the first time this season to defeat the Concordia University Lady Bulldogs JV 3-1 (25-20, 25-19, 19-25, 25-11). The first three sets were tightly contested battles with the Lady Knights winning the first two sets before dropping the third. The Knights then dominated the fourth set to secure the victory.

Despite a slow start the Lady Knights were able to win the first and second game 25-20 and 25-19. In the third set the game was back and forth with neither team able to create separation. The Lady Knights were able to create a little breathing room at 15-12. However the Lady Bulldogs went on a 13-4 run to end the third set to claim the victory. In the fourth set the Lady Knights would leave no doubt as they raced out to a 9-1 lead and would never look back on the way to a dominating 25-11 victory and a 3-1 victory.

The Lady Knights were led by Sandrina Hallahan with 10 kills and three blocks. Kylie Wroot had 9 kills for the Lady Knights. Joli Hopping led the Knights with 19 assists and Laura Beckman had 17. Shannon Liewer led the Knights with 19 digs. Sabrina Hallahan and Beckman each had three service aces for the Lady Knights.

“I was a little disappointed in our slow start,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “We didn’t play with much discipline or enthusiasm tonight. We will need to change that to be competitive this weekend.”

The Lady Knights return to action this Friday and Saturday as they travel to Colby, Kan. to compete in the Colby Classic. The Lady Knights open up the Classic on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Highland Community College then return to the court the next day at 10 a.m. to face the host Colby Community College. The tournament is concluded for the Lady Knights as they take on Trinidad State Community College at 12 p.m.

The North Platte Community College Lady Knights volleyball team opened up their season with a resounding 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-14) victory over the Williston State College Tetons. The Knights returned to the floor immediately to face the Sheridan College Lady Generals where the Lady Knights knocked off the Lady Generals 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-14, 27-25)

The first set of the year saw the Lady Knights emerge victorious 25-23 over the Tetons. The Lady Knights then cruised to a 25-17 victory in the second set before winning the third set in dominating fashion 25-14. The Lady Knights were led in kills by Sabrina Hallahan and Samantha Kennedy who both recorded nine. Kylie Wroot also chipped in eight kills. Joli Hopping contributed 19 assists while Laura Beckman had 12. Shannon Liewer led the Lady Knights in digs with 31.

The difference in the game was the Lady Knights controlled the net and did a good job receiving serves according to head coach Sally Thalken. “I was very happy with the way we played,” said coach Thalken. “We started out a little tentative but did a lot of good things. We have a lot of improving to still do but game experience is invaluable for our kids.”

The Lady Knights opened up their second game of the young season with another hard fought opening set win 25-22 over the Lady Generals. The set was knotted at 22 apiece before three freshman made plays to seal the win. Kylie Wroot got things started with a big kill before Samantha Byrn had an ace serve to give the Lady Knights game point. Samantha Kennedy delivered the winning kill to give the Lady Knights the opening set win.

The second set saw the Lady Generals take a highly contested battle 23-25 from the Lady Knights. The Lady Knights responded by dominating the third set on the way to a 25-14 victory. The fourth set was a hard fought battle as the game went back and forth before the Lady Knights were able to pull out the 27-25 set and game victory.

“I was really proud of our kids,” said coach Thalken. “They really stuck in there and played some scrappy ball. I thought we really played aggressive.”

The Lady Knights were paced by Sandrina Hallahan with nine kills and six blocks. Samantha Kennedy had eight blocks. Laura Beckman had 48 assists and Joli Hopping had 42. Shannon Liewer led the Lady Knights with 23 digs.

“I thought we controlled the game with our passing and ball control,” said Shannon Liewer. “We really worked hard on our serve receive. I thought we were able to keep our momentum up and we really connected as a team.”

The Subway Invite resumes on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with games also at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Lady Knights will face the Eastern Wyoming College Lady Lancers at 11 a.m. The Lady Lancers were 0-2 on day one falling to Northeastern Junior College and Williston State College. The Lady Knights then turn around and face the Colby Community College Lady Trojans at 1 p.m. The Lady Trojans went 1-1 on day one defeating Sheridan College before falling to Northeastern Junior College.

Both games for the Lady Knights can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 with Robert Lovell and Scott Carlson on the call.

The North Platte Community College Volleyball Team will open up their season tomorrow Friday, August 23 in the Subway Invite played at North Platte’s McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The Lady Knights host the invite with Colby Community College, Eastern Wyoming College, Northeastern Junior College, Sheridan College and Williston State College also competing.

The Lady Knights open up the season at 5 p.m. against Williston State College on August 23 then play again at 7 p.m. against Sheridan College. The Lady Knights return to action the following day to take on Eastern Wyoming College at 11 a.m. and Colby Community College at 1 p.m.

The tournament starts at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon, with two games being played at a time at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. The Subway Invite resumes on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with games also at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Last season the Knights went 4-1 in the Subway Invite.

All four of the Knights’ matches this weekend can be heard on ESPN Radio 1410 AM and online at www.northplattepost.com. ESPN 1410 Sports Director Robert Lovell will be on the call alongside Scott Carlson.

The Lady Knights continue their season next Wednesday August 28 as they travel to Seward to take on Concordia University JV.

The North Platte Community College Volleyball Team moved onto campus Sundaynight and started practice on Monday in preparation for the 2013 Season. The Lady Knights open the season on August 23 at home in the Subway Invitational at 5 p.m. against Williston State College. The 2013 Lady Knights received votes in the preseason NJCAA Top 20 National Poll.

“The start of practice has gone really well,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “We are really excited to see how this team comes together over the next several practices and then watch them compete.”

The Lady Knights return five sophomores from a team that finished 2012 with a 20-18 records after falling in the Region IX Division II Tournament Championship to Central Community College in five sets. The sophomores include Laura Beckman of Julesburg, Colo., Sabrina Hallahan of Brush, Colo., Sandrina Hallahan of Brush, Colo., Jacee Kershaw of Culbertson, and Shannon Liewer of Imperial.

“The sophomores have come out and really set the tone for practice with their hard work,” said Coach Thalken. “They have had the pedal to the metal. They have also provided great leadership for the underclassmen.”

The Lady Knights had seven freshman to the team including Samantha Byrn of North Platte, Lisa Dodge of Strasburg, Colo., Joli Hopping of Sutherland, Samantha Kennedy of Sutherland, Taylor King of Fleming, Colo., Abby Kurtzer of Haxton, Colo. and Kylie Wroot of North Platte.

“We were able to bring in a great freshman class,” said Coach Thalken. “They are all practicing well and are adjusting to the college game.”

The sophomores all said that the start of practice has been going well and they are excited to get the season underway. “Our team is really jelling for how short of a time we have been here,” said Kershaw. “It feels like we have been here for several months already,” said Beckman.

The Lady Knights have been working on fundamentals at this early point of the season. “We have focused on passing the most so far,” said Liewer.