(Jenna Claflin gets ready to attack, courtesy NPCC Athletics)
Scottsbluff, Neb. – North Platte Community College volleyball team fell in straight sets, 25-17, 25-16, 25-18, to Laramie County on Friday.
Makenna Stephenson capped off her freshman campaign with nine kills and 12 digs. Zoe Maher led the defense with 14 digs, while Khloee Wright tallied two aces.
“We just couldn’t find any consistency today,” said head coach Alexa McCall. “They are a team that doesn’t make an error, and we just made too many.”
The opening set was a tight battle featuring five early ties before Laramie County put together a 4-0 run to take a 9-5 lead, prompting a North Platte timeout. The Knights climbed back within two after a perfectly placed back-corner kill from Stephenson. The Golden Eagles never relinquished the momentum in the closing stages and took the opening set win.
Laramie County came out strong in the second set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead and maintaining control as they reached 15 with the Knights trailing by five. The Golden Eagles widened the gap late, finishing the set on an ace and a North Platte attacking error to secure a 2-0 advantage.
In the third set, Laramie County took an early lead before a kill by Ella Rotherham sparked a North Platte run to move ahead, 10-6. After trading a few points, a kill from Nya Lual extended the Knights lead to five, but the Golden Eagles responded with a 10-1 surge, forcing another North Platte timeout. Laramie County never looked back, closing the match with a kill to sweep the Knights and advance to the semifinals of the Northwest Plains B bracket.
“I’m so proud of this team and the things they accomplished this year,” McCall said. “It’s unfortunate when you go out in a game like this because it just wasn’t our best, but we have a lot to be proud of!”
With the loss the Knights finish the season with a (16-16) overall record.
