NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College volleyball team was back on their home floor Thursday as they took on ICCAC foe North Iowa Area Community College and fellow Nebraska school North Platte Community College. The Hawks swept NIACC 3-0 before falling by a final score of 3-1 to the Knights.
Northeast (14-10, 3-2 ICCAC) made quick work of the visiting Trojans in the afternoon contest as Jayda Christensen (Norfolk, Neb.) led the way with 12 kills while Jayden Bestenlehner (Omaha, Neb.) added 26 digs. The Hawks fell in the first two sets in the nightcap to North Platte but rallied back to force a fourth set before ultimately dropping the second matchup. Northeast will have the weekend off before returning home for another triangular next week.
STAT SHEET:
GAME 1 AGAINST NORTH IOWA AREA:
Set Scores: 25-13, 25-21, 26-24
Kills: Jayda Christensen (Norfolk, Neb.) 12
Blocks: Kaidence Wilson (North Loup, Neb.) 2
Digs: Jayden Bestenlehner (Omaha, Neb.) 26, Mya Hedstrom (O’Neill, Neb.) 22
Assists: Shaylyn Safranek (Merna, Neb.) 24, Teya Boyer (Plainview, Neb.) 11
GAME 2 AGAINST NORTH PLATTE:
Set Scores: 23-25, 18-25, 25-18, 23-25
Kills: Mya Hedstrom 13, Alex Arenas (Wakefield, Neb.) 11
Blocks: Avery Couch (David City, Neb.) 5, Kaidence Wilson 5, Shaylyn Safranek 5
Ace Serves: Mya Hedstrom 3
Digs: Alex Arenas 19, Teya Boyer (Plainview, Neb.) 15, Mya Hedstrom 12, Shaylyn Safranek 10
Assists: Shaylyn Safranek 30
HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:
Head Volleyball Coach Amanda Schultze on what positives she can take from the two matchups:
“I thought we blocked really well,” Schultze said. “I think we finally stepped it up and did a good job defensively at the net. Katie Borg did a great job off the bench. She stepped up and played really good defense.”
Schultze on what can be learned heading into next week’s triangular:
“I hope they know what they need to do to prepare for that second match and be ready to go both games,” Schultze said. “We need to not overlook any team.”
UP NEXT:
The Hawks will host another triangular next and will take on Des Moines Area Community College at 2 p.m. before battling York University JV at 6 p.m. at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.
