NWC VOLLEYBALL FINISHES WEEK 2-1

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Three matches in a week, capped off with a special Westside Elementary School volleyball day at Northwest on Tuesday, left the Northwest College volleyball team with a 2-1 record for the week.

Northwest went on the road and lost to Central Wyoming College 3-0 on Thursday, defeated Gillette College 3-0 on Friday before returning home to defeat the Rocky Mountain JV 3-1 on Tuesday.  

CENTRAL WYOMING 3, NORTHWEST 0
(25-23, 25-13, 25-21)

Starting out the extended road trip, the Trappers (8-16 overall, 2-4 Region IX North) went to take on Central Wyoming (5-17 overall, 3-3 Region IX North) in Riverton.

Northwest came out strong in the first set and battled to the last point, but came up just short against the Rustlers 25-23.

A tougher second set allowed for the Rustlers to pull away, cruising to a 25-13 win.

Another close battle ensued in the third set, but Northwest was unable to take a set off Central Wyoming and fell 25-21.

"They are solid, just like they have been in the past," coach Scott Keister said. "I think that is the toughest we have played Central on their court since I have been here. We passed well and served well, we gave them a handful. The second set got away from us a little bit."

Ellie Thomas led the way with 16 digs, while Kamryn Jenkins and Kamri Hutchings split setting duties with 11 and 10 apiece.

Kennedy Oman led with three blocks.    

NORTHWEST 3, GILLETTE COLLEGE 0
(27-25, 25-21, 25-15)

Making the journey to Gillette on Friday, the Trappers took on the Pronghorns (7-16 overall, 0-6 Region IX North) for the first time in program history.

A back and forth first set went to extra points, with Northwest coming out on top with a 27-25 victory.

A similar second set allowed  the Trappers to pull away a little bit more late, winning 25-21.

The third set went smoother for Northwest, earning a 25-15 victory and getting the first sweep for the Trappers since Aug. 26 at their home tournament.

"We played pretty solid and consistent the whole time," Keister said. "It was tight pretty much the whole match. Being able to come out of there with a win felt good."

Hutchings led with 17 assists, Thomas led with 15 digs and Jordynel Anderson had four blocks. 

NORTHWEST 3, ROCKY MOUNTAIN JV 1
(24-26, 25-22, 25-11, 25-21)

Returning back home on Tuesday the Trappers hosted a new event by inviting all of Westside to watch them play the Rocky Mountain JV.

"We are grateful to Rocky for being a part of that," Keister said. "I think they enjoyed it too — it's cool to play in an atmosphere where it's loud and energetic with the kids in to the match."

The Battlin' Bears came to play early, jumping out to a lead and holding on late to earn a 26-24 first set win.

Northwest battled early in the second and held a lead throughout, earning a second set win 25-22.

In the third set the Trappers carried the momentum from the second, taking an early lead and building on it quickly to earn a convincing 25-11 win.

A battle in the fourth set came down to the final points, with Northwest pulling ahead for a 25-21 win.

"The win of the day and the month and the year I think is them hanging out with those kids and creating some excitement," Keister said. "Hopefully next year we can do it again and get them (the elementary schools) all here."

Anderson led with 11 kills, Thomas had 20 digs while Hutchings and Jenkins both had 20-plus assists.

HOME SCHEDULE CONTINUES

Northwest will stay at home this weekend, taking on Casper College (19-10 overall, 5-1 Region IX North) at 6 p.m. on Friday.

"Casper runs a fast offense and we have struggled with that all year," Keister said. "I just want to play better, I want to see us learning how to see something, make a change and apply it for the next time."

The Trappers will then host Western Wyoming (15-11 overall, 3-3 Region IX North) at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

"They are playing everybody well, it just depends on the day," Keister said.   

CENTRAL WYOMING 3, NORTHWEST 0
(25-23, 25-13, 25-21)
Total blocks then solo blocks in ()
Kills — Burkelle Field 6, Sierra Kilts 4, Elsa Clark 3, Kennedy Oman 3, Jordynel Anderson 3, Taylor Wilson 2
Assists — Kamryn Jenkins 11, Kamri Hutchings 10
Digs — Ellie Thomas 16, Elsa Clark 6, Sierra Kilts 4, Burkelle Field 3, Kamryn Jenkins 3, Taylor Wilson 3, Kamri Hutchings 2, Kennedy Oman 1
Blocks — Kennedy Oman 3 (2), Jordynel Anderson 1.5 (1), Burkelle Field 1, Sierra Kilts 1 (1), Taylor Wilson 1 (1), Kamri Hutchings .5
Aces — Ellie Thomas 1, Taylor Wilson 1    

NORTHWEST 3, GILLETTE COLLEGE 0
(27-25, 25-21, 25-15)
Kills — Taylor Wilson 7, Kennedy Oman 6, Burkelle Field 5, Elsa Clark 4, Jordynel Anderson 4, Sierra Kilts 3, Kamri Hutchings 1, Ellie Thomas 1, Kamryn Jenkins 1
Assists — Kamri Hutchings 17, Kamryn Jenkins 11, Ellie Thomas 2, Elsa Clark 1, Kennedy Oman 1
Digs — Ellie Thomas 15, Elsa Clark 9, Burkelle Field 6, Sierra Kilts 6, Kamryn Jenkins 5, Jordynel Anderson 2, Taylor Wilson 1
Blocks — Jordynel Anderson 4 (1), Elsa Clark 3 (1), Kennedy Oman 3, Burkelle Field 2, Taylor Wilson 1.5, Kamri Hutchings .5
Aces — Sierra Kilts 2, Ellie Thomas 1, Elsa Clark 1    

NORTHWEST 3, ROCKY MOUNTAIN JV 1
(24-26, 25-22, 25-11, 25-21)
Kills — Jordynel Anderson 11, Taylor Wilson 10, Sierra Kilts 8, Kennedy Oman 8, Mikey Pilila'au 5, Kamri Hutchings 4, Annika Bushman 4, Elsa Clark 4, Ellie Thomas 1
Assists — Kamri Hutchings 29, Kamryn Jenkins 21, Ellie Thomas 5
Digs — Ellie Thomas 20, Sierra Kilts 13, Taylor Wilson 9, Elsa Clark 8, Kennedy Oman 4, Kamryn Jenkins 3, Kamri Hutchings 2, Annika Bushman 2, Mikey Pilila'au 2, Burkelle Field 1
Blocks — Jordynel Anderson 2.5 (1), Kennedy Oman 3 (1), Taylor Wilson 3 (1), Kamri Hutchings 2, Sierra Kilts 1, Tilli Danczyk .5
Aces — Elsa Clark 3, Kamri Hutchings 2, Ellie Thomas 2, Kennedy Oman 2, Sierra Kilts 1, Mikey Pilila'au 1, Taylor Wilson 1