NWC FALLS IN HOME CONFERENCE MATCHES

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

After starting conference play on the road the Northwest College volleyball team hosted its first Region IX games of the season, falling to Laramie County Community College 3-1 on Friday and getting swept by Eastern Wyoming College on Saturday.

LCCC 3, NORTHWEST 1
Playing at home for the first time in three weeks the Trappers (8-8 overall, 0-4 Region IX North) welcomed in the Golden Eagles (12-9 overall, 4-0 Region IX North).
The Trappers went point for point with the visitors during a close first set, before coming up just short in a 25-23 loss.
In the second set a similar scenario occurred, with the Trappers claiming the close win this time with a 25-23 victory of their own.
After that second set win the Golden Eagles took control, putting the Trappers on the back foot and earning a 25-13 third set win.
"LCCC they weren't a really big team, but they were just very explosive, very feisty," coach Nicole Buck said. "I thought we did a great job in the first two sets with LCCC, just matching that fast-paced volleyball and high energy and aggressiveness … Actually taking the second set kind of saw them (LCCC) kick it into gear and we just didn't respond really well."
The Golden Eagles carried that momentum and earned a 25-11 fourth set decision to take a 3-1 win.
Buck said there have been strong moments for the Trappers, as they continue to find ways to string together points each set.
"I feel like we're kind of working through some things as a team right now and getting exposed in those moments a little bit," Buck said. "We have these moments of brilliance, we're just figuring out how to string a few more of those moments together to expand that a little bit."
Taylee Carlson led the Trappers with 12 kills, Aidann Mottishaw had 35 assists and led with three aces, Shilah Arnold led with 13 assists while Lexie Arnold chipped in 11 and Ellianna Baumstarck led the Trappers with 3.5 blocks, three of them solo.
"Ellie (Baumstarck) put up some big blocks early in the LCCC game which made a big difference for us. It really helped our back row set up our attackers for a lot of success. When that was working well, we were playing really well," Buck said.  

EASTERN WYOMING 3, NORTHWEST 0
On Saturday the Trappers were still seeking their first conference win, welcoming in the Lancers (8-19 overall, 2-2).
Northwest was unable to figure out a bigger Lancer team early, as the visitors took the first set 25-18.
"Eastern, they were a big team, they just put up a big block and kind of figured us out early," Buck said. "We didn't do as good of a job at mixing things up and we weren't as aggressive on defense and let them jump ahead in every set."
A similar second set followed as the Trappers fell 25-18, and the Lancers finished the sweep with a 25-21 third set.
Buck said the Trappers battled back after falling behind early in each set, but were unable to find enough momentum to complete a rally.
"We would do really good things, but we would wait too long before we decided that we had a good response, so just looking to the future I hope the kids just learn that if we respond quicker, hopefully they can see when we do respond with aggressiveness and confidence we're right in those points," Buck said. "If we can just do that quicker before we dig ourselves a hole that's too big to climb out of. That just comes with maturity and experience attacking wise."
McKinlee Scammon led the Trappers with 12 kills, Mottishaw led with 20 assists, Shilah Arnold had 15 digs, Baumstarck had five blocks, all solo, and Lexie Arnold led with two aces.

SEASON PUSHES ON
Northwest hosted Central Wyoming College (8-15 overall, 2-2 Region IX North) on Wednesday night; the match was determined after the press deadline.
The Trappers head on the road for a pair of games this week, starting at Rock Springs on Friday at 6 p.m. to take on Western Wyoming Community College (2-20 overall, 0-4 Region IX).
"It is a really long trip. I guess I'm a little bit naive, I believe every game is a winnable game, but I especially believe that this one is but it is going to be tough," Buck said. "It's going to take our best selves, especially since we'll be down another player and it is going to take a lot of discipline and focus coming off a five hour bus ride. I still expect really good competition."
Northwest then takes a quick break from conference action to head to Billings on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. to take on the Rocky Mountain JV.   

LCCC 3, NORTHWEST 1
(25-23, 23-25, 25-13, 25-11)
Total blocks then solo blocks in ()
Kills — Taylee Carlson 12, McKinlee Scammon 9, Lexie Arnold 7, Eva Murray 4, Ellianna Baumstarck 4, Natalee Hayder 3, Aidann Mottishaw 1
Assists — Aidann Mottishaw 35, Lexie Arnold 2, Shilah Arnold 1, McKinlee Scammon 1
Digs — Shilah Arnold 13, Lexie Arnold 11, McKinlee Scammon 8, Aidann Mottishaw 8, Trinity Frank 6, Nevaeh Bell 2
Blocks — Ellianna Baumstarck 3.5 (3), Eva Murray 2 (2), Aidann Mottishaw .5
Aces — Aidann Mottishaw 3, Trinity Frank 1, Nevaeh Bell 1

EASTERN WYOMING 3, NORTHWEST 0
(25-18, 25-18, 25-21)
Kills — McKinlee Scammon 12, Ellianna Baumstarck 4, Natalee Hayder 4, Taylee Carlson 4, Aidann Mottishaw 2, Lexie Arnold 1, Eva Murray 1
Assists — Aidann Mottishaw 20, Trinity Frank 2, Rylee Arnold 2, Lexie Arnold 1, Shilah Arnold 1, Natalee Hayder 1
Digs — Shilah Arnold 15, Lexie Arnold 5, McKinlee Scammon 3, Aidann Mottishaw 3, Rylee Arnold 3, Trinity Frank 2, Eva Murray 1, Nevaeh Bell 1
Blocks — Ellianna Baumstarck 5 (5), Eva Murray 2 (2), Aidann Mottishaw 1 (1), Natalee Nayder .5
Aces — Lexie Arnold 2, Trinity Frank 1, Aidann Mottishaw 1, Nevaeh Bell 1