NDSCS falls to McCook (Neb.) and Central (Neb.) on Day One of NECC Classic

No. 13 NDSCS Volleyball went 0-2 on Day One of the NECC Tournament in Norfolk, Neb., falling to McCook CC (Neb.) and Central CC (Neb.).

The Wildcats started strong against McCook, taking the first set 25-17. But the Indians recovered to take the next three sets 25-23, 25-18 and 25-23.

Sophomore Lily Pyle led the team in kills (10) and classmate Lexi Hansch handed out 19 assists. Freshman Katie Krieger recorded 30 digs.

In the day's second game against Central, a team receiving votes in the NJCAA D2 Top 20 Poll, NDSCS got off to a slow start by dropping the first two sets 25-14 and 25-17. The Wildcats did rebound to take set three 25-23 before falling in the decisive fourth set 25-18.

Sophomore Gabby Hahn put down 13 kills, while Pyle added 11. Hansch finished Game Two with 22 assists and Krieger tallied a team-high 25 digs.

The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, taking on No. 4 Kirkwood (Iowa) and No. 11 Northeast (Neb.). Northeast, the tournament host, will stream the second game on its website – https://northeasthawks.com/links/raz87s – at approximately 5 p.m. CST.