Knights open region play with win over Bobcats

Zoe Maher attacks the Southeast defense in the fourth set on Tuesday night. (Daniel Stinman, North Platte Community College)

North Platte, Neb. – North Platte Community College used 49 kills to defeat Southeast Community College, 3-1, at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

Knights were led by Zoe Maher and Jaelyn Dicke who totaled 11 kills apiece in the match. EmiLee Walnofer finished with 26 digs, while Aubrey Grant tallied 35 assists against the Bobcats.

In the opening set, the Knights used a 6-0 run to distance themselves from the Bobcats. North Platte traded points with the visitors until another 5-0 run stretched the lead to 18-9. The Knights defense allowed just two more points, as they clinched the first set on a kill by Dicke.

Four straight points helped the Knights take the lead early in the second set. Knights continued to cruise as they stretched their lead to 17-6 on a Nya Lual kill. A couple of errors helped Southeast stop the bleeding, before they rallied with four straight points late in the set. Leading 22-12, the Knights secured the final three points to take a two-set advantage.

North Platte led by as many as five in the early moments of the third set. Southeast fought back to knot the game up at 12, before stretching the deficit to four on an attacking error. An Ella Rotherham kill gave the home team a one point advantage, but a 6-1 run helped Southeast secure the set.

Two straight points by the Bobcats was met with a set changing 7-0 run. The lead began to dwindle as Southeast climbed back within one midway through the set. A 4-1 burst provided the breathing room North Platte needed. A kill by Fatima Gomez stretched the lead to 21-17, as the Knights went on to close out the match.

Knights (5-14) continue Region IX play against Central Community College on Thursday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium in North Platte.