NORTHEAST VOLLEYBALL BATTLES THE WHOLE WAY IN HOME OPENER

NORFOLK, Neb. – The Northeast Community College volleyball team played in their home gym at the Cox Activities Center for the first time this year Thursday night in a contest against Barton Community College. The Cougars would ultimately get the best of the Hawks, winning 3-1.

Northeast fell behind early as they dropped the first two sets, but an impressive 25-16 win in set number three had the Hawks back in contention. A packed house cheered on the Hawks all night before Barton eventually took the victory.

Karley Heimes (Wynot, Neb.) recorded 18 kills in a match for the second time on the young season.

STAT SHEET:

Kills: Karley Heimes (Wynot, Neb.) 18, Lauren Buhrman (Wisner, Neb.) 7, Lily Otten (Pilger, Neb.) 6

Blocks: Chloe Sandell (Polk, Neb.) 5, Lily Otten 4, Karley Heimes 4

Ace Serves: Erin Schwanebeck (Norfolk, Neb.) 2

Digs: Sydney Redden (Wayne, Neb.) 25, Kiara Krusemark (Wayne, Neb.) 16, Karley Heimes 13

Assists: Kiara Krusemark 32, Sydney Redden 3

HEAR FROM THE HAWKS COACH:

Head volleyball coach Amanda Schultze on the fan support tonight:

"It was a good crowd tonight," Schultze said. "Our girls played well, especially against a very good Division I team. That was big. They didn't let that scare them. The crowd was awesome. We came up with a couple of blocks in the third set that got the crowd going."

Schultze on what she wants her team to focus on during the tournament this weekend:

"To go have fun," Schultze said. "Play together. I think that's the biggest thing, as well as talking. They have so much energy warming up and in the halls. They need to bring that to the court."

UP NEXT:

The Hawks will host the Northeast Tournament this weekend beginning tomorrow. Northeast will play Allen Community College at 2 p.m. and Southeast Community College at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Cox Activities Center in Norfolk.

HAWKS HAPPENINGS:

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