MCC Volleyball sweeps past North Platte at home

Cibeles Bothwell steps past Charlee Russick to take a pass in first-set action Tuesday against North Platte

The McCook Community College volleyball team swept North Platte Community College Tuesday in the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center downing the Knights in three sets, 25-18, 25-19, 26-24.

“We just started off a little rough and gave up way too many points,” said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza. “In that first set we gave up seven of their points. We’ve got to do better than that.”

Sophomore Romina Martinez Castro (Cochabamba, Bolivia) led MCC with eight kills, adding four blocks, 10 digs and an ace. Charlee Russick (freshman, Berthoud, Colo.) had seven kills and five digs. Sophomore Caylin Barnett (McCook) had five kills, an ace and seven digs.

“I think we finished that first set with only five kills, and for the match nobody hit double-digits,” said Kobza. MCC had 24 kills on the night.

Rowan Tribelhorn (sophomore Yuma, Colo.) had three kills and four blocks in the middle while freshman Ella Verts (Marshall, Mo.) had three blocks and a kill.

The coach was a little frustrated with the performance especially after having an outstanding practice Monday.

“We play so well against defense but we have to carry that over on game day,” said Kobza.

Sophomore Cibeles Bothwell (Spring, Texas) led MCC with 11 digs and added an ace. Freshman Abby Thompson (Bison, S.D.) had 20 assists, seven digs and three blocks. Sophomore Emerie Rios (Sterling, Colo.) led MCC with two service aces and a dig.

After leading the third set 9-5 North Platte went on a 7-2 run to take a 12-11 lead. The teams tied again at 16-16, and 22-22 before MCC was able to take the set in extended points 26-24.

“North Platte did turn it on and I’m just glad it went our way in the third set,” said Kobza.

The Knights fall to 5-16 overall and 1-2 in the Nebraska Community College Athletic Conference.

MCC leads the Nebraska conference at the half-way point of the schedule at 3-0 and improves to 14-5 overall.

The rest of the NCCAC schedule for MCC includes a trip to Columbus to play Central on Oct. 8, a home match Oct. 15 against Southeast CC and the conference finale Oct. 22 at North Platte.

On Thursday MCC begins Region IX play with a home match against Lamar Community College (5-10). First serve is at 6 p.m.

“We have to come in Thursday minimize errors and earn our points,” said Kobza.

Up-to-date information about MCC volleyball including livestream links, schedule, statistics, rosters, photos and more can be found on the MCC Athletics website, www.mccindians.com 

NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE STANDINGS

                              W-L      PCT            OVERALL

McCook CC            3-0     1.000            14-5 

Central CC              2-1       .667            11-5

North Platte            1-2       .333            5-16

Southeast CC         0-3       .000            3-9

NCCAC RESULTS

Sept. 11 – Central CC 3, Southeast CC 0 (at Columbus)

Sept. 13 – McCook CC 3, Southeast CC 0 (at Lincoln)

Sept. 17 – North Platte 3, Southeast CC 1 (at North Platte)

Sept. 18 – McCook CC 3, Central CC 0 (at McCook)

Sept. 19 – Central CC 3, North Platte 0 (at North Platte)

Sept. 24 – McCook CC 3, North Platte 0 (at McCook

NCCAC SCHEDULE (All games at 6 p.m.)

Sept. 30 – North Platte at Southeast (Lincoln)

Oct. 2 – Central CC at Southeast (Lincoln)

Oct. 8 – McCook at Central CC (Columbus)

Oct. 15 – Southeast CC at McCook

Oct. 17 – North Platte at Central CC (Columbus)

Oct. 22 – McCook CC at North Platte