Becca Olearnick delivers a powerful kill during the third set against McCook Community College on Wednesday night. (Skylar Evans, North Platte Community College)
North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College volleyball fell in straight sets (26-24, 25-19, 25-19) to rival McCook on Wednesday night at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.
Outside hitter Makenna Stephenson led the Knights with 16 kills and eight digs. Sophomore Zoe Maher added 10 digs, while Kiley Kearney tallied 34 assists in the loss.
“We have to be more consistent,” said head coach Alexa McCall. “We have the players and the power, but we have to play together and be more competitive late in sets.”
The opening set was tightly contested, with both teams trading points early. A kill from Khloee Wright sparked a 4-0 run that gave the Knights a slight edge, while another strong run extended their advantage to 18-13. However, the Indians rallied to tie it at 23-23 and eventually claimed the set in extra points.
McCook carried the momentum into the second set, jumping ahead early behind an ace from Peightan Swanson. A North Platte rally cut the deficit to 7-6 after an attacking error, but McCook regained control and pulled away late, scoring the final four points to take a 2-0 lead.
In the early moments of the third set, McCook used a 5-1 burst to take an 8-4 lead. North Platte answered with their own 5-1 rally to knot the game up on a McCook attacking error. Teams continued to trade points down the stretch until a 7-1 rally pushed McCook out to a 22-16 advantage. North Platte could not overcome the deficit and fell to the Indians in the final set, 25-19.
North Platte (7-13) will return to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium to take on Lamar Community College on Saturday at 2 p.m.
