Knights sweep Western Wyoming to open Region IX Challenge

Cheyenne, Wyo. – North Platte Community College volleyball opened the Region IX Challenge in commanding fashion Thursday, sweeping Western Wyoming (29-27, 25-19, 25-18) to notch their second win of the season.

Freshman Khloee Wright had a strong performance, tallying 17 kills and eight digs. Kiley Kearney contributed 40 assists and four kills, while Zoe Maher led the defense with 17 digs.

"I thought today was a good team win," said head coach Alexa McCall. "We made some adjustments and worked together; it's a good start for the weekend."

The Mustangs came out firing in the opening set, jumping out to an early 11-3 lead. North Platte would fight their way back knotting the game at 22 on an ace by Makenzie Piper. With momentum on their side, North Platte pushed the set into extra points and sealed it with a Makenna Stephenson kill down the line.

In the second set, the Knights built a five-point lead before Western Wyoming responded to tie it at 12-12. North Platte didn't lose momentum, securing the set after two kills from Wright and an error by the Mustangs.

In the third, it was a back-to-forth battle with the game deadlocked at 13 apiece. Becca Olearnick broke the tie with a kill that ignited a 9-2 run. The Mustangs couldn't recover, and the Knights cruised to the three-set sweep.

North Platte (2-6) returns on Friday for day two of the Region IX Challenge in Cheyenne, Wyo. North Platte opens the day with Northwest College at noon, before taking on the Pronghorns of Gillette College at 4 p.m.