Knights defeat Trojans in four sets at home

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College volleyball earned a four set victory, 27-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, over Trinidad State at home on Friday night.

Outside hitter Makenna Stephenson led the offense with 17 kills, while Khloee Wright and Nya Lual closed out the night with 14 kills apiece. From the service line, the Knights notched 11 aces, four each from Makenzie Piper and Stephenson.

"We had 11 serving aces, which is awesome," said head coach Alexa McCall. "But we have to clean up our serving errors, 20 missed serves is not acceptable."

North Platte came out strong in the opening set, jumping to an early 5–2 lead and controlling most of the frame. Trinidad State rallied late, taking a 23–22 lead following a Knights attacking error. North Platte responded, winning in extra points with back-to-back kills from Stephenson and Lual.

A kill by Lual helped North Platte surge out to an 8-1 lead in the second set. Trinidad responded and briefly took the lead midway through the set, again capitalizing on North Platte errors. However, the Knights kept the score close and regained momentum after a kill from Stephenson, closing out the set to go up 2-0 in the match.

Knights and Trojans traded points back-and-forth as the set remained tight to begin the third set. Trinidad managed to build a five point advantage after a North Platte timeout, but another rally evened the set at 18-18. The Trojans needed to extend the match and would do so with an attacking error to take the set.

Trinidad carried that momentum into the fourth, leading by as many as four at the midway point of the set. North Platte answered once again, tying the score on an ace by Wright. Trinidad briefly regained a two-point edge, North Platte closed the match with a decisive 6-1 run, sealed by a kill from Wright to clinch the 3-1 victory.

"What I am proud of is the fight we showed when things were close," McCall said. "We know that we have to win every game from here on out, and I was glad to get this one to help propel us into the next."

North Platte (11-14) returns to the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Saturday to continue Region IX play against Otero. The athletic department is offering free admission for the game.