(courtesy NPCC Athletics)
McCook, Neb. – North Platte Community College volleyball team kept its postseason hopes alive and extended its winning streak to five matches with a 3-1 road victory over rival McCook on Saturday afternoon. The Knights rebounded from a tough third set to take down the Indians, 25-18, 25-21, 25-27, 25-22.
Makenna Stephenson accounted for 16 kills on 42 swings, while Khloee Wright added 11 kills of her own. Defensively, sophomore Zoe Maher posted 20 digs and teammate Makenzie Piper led from the service line with four of North Platte’s 13 aces.
“I’m so proud of the team and the persistence they showed,” said head coach Alexa McCall. “We gave up a big lead in the third, but mentally we stayed strong. Everyone worked really hard in practice to prepare for this game, and it paid off.”
The opening set was a tight battle featuring eleven ties before North Platte pulled ahead 21-17 following a McCook attack error. Charlee Russick halted the Knights momentum, but Wright answered with a kill off the block to ignite a 4-0 run that secured the set.
The second set saw another back-and-forth start until a Stephenson kill ignited an 8-1 run, pushing the Knights ahead by six. McCook trimmed the lead to four late in the set, but North Platte stayed composed to take a two set advantage.
In the third set, North Platte jumped out to a 7-4 lead and later extended their lead to 20-13 on a McCook attacking error. McCook battled back to knot the score at 25-25 before a North Platte attacking error handed the set to the Indians.
Piper opened the fourth set with a kill, helping North Platte establish an early 8-3 lead. She later delivered a crucial ace to give the Knights a 20-17 edge. From there, North Platte maintained control, a final kill from Stephenson sealed the match and stretched the win streak to five games.
“Now we have to prepare for Wednesday and make sure we are ready to finish strong,” McCall said.
North Platte (14-14, 8-5 in Region IX South) will close out the regular season at home on Wednesday. First serve against Southeast is set for 6 p.m. with sophomore night recognition prior to the start of the game.
