NWC improves to 26-7 overallA pair of home matches translated into two more victories for the Northwest College volleyball team late last week. The Lady Trappers, now 26-7 for the season and 4-0 at Hank Cabre Gymnasium, earned decisions over Eastern Wyoming College Friday night and Laramie County Community College Saturday afternoon.Against the Lancers, NWC overcame a slow start, which included a 30-28 loss in the first set. The Lady Trappers responded to their first set loss at home by winning the next three sets 25-17, 25-22, 25-10.“The first set was very shaky,” said NWC head coach Flavia Siqueira. “As a team, we were focused for a run of four to five points and then unfocused for another run of points. Toward the end of the set, we were ahead seven points and could not finish it. EWC took advantage of our down moment and won the first game 30-28.“It was hard for me to make any changes because when one or two players are having a bad game, I can substitute for them. But when the 11 players on the roster are unfocused, there is not much I can do.”Fortunately for the Lady Trappers, their focus was better in the ensuing set, according to Siqueira. During set three, the up-and-down play surfaced again, but NWC was able to squeak past the Lancers by three points. In the fourth and final set, NWC put together a solid effort and cruised to a 15-point decision. “Eastern Wyoming played much better than when we saw them at the tournament in Riverton,” Siqueira said. “They are passing a lot better, and their libero had a great match.“Finally, in the fourth set, we came back and played well. Maddie Peterson played in the middle, and Rebekah DePesa came in on the outside. Both of them did a great job.”Among the highlights for NWC Friday night was the performance of setter Carol Martin, who finished with 47 assists, 29 digs and six kills. Thabata Galvao added 12 kills and 20 digs, and Peterson and Irelis Avendano finished with 14 and 11 kills, respectively.On Saturday, NWC swept LCCC in three straight sets, 25-20, 25-15, 25-18. In the first set, the Lady Trappers built a 19-9 advantage before the Golden Eagles fought back and trailed just 22-20. With LCCC threatening to mount a comeback effort, NWC scored three straight points to claim the first set.Set two was close in its early stages, but the home team was able to build a sizable advantage en route to a 10-point victory. In the deciding set, NWC led by as many as 10 points before disposing of LCCC 25-18.Siqueira said her front row played particularly well against LCCC. With few errors and strategic ball placement, the Lady Trappers were able to maintain control of the majority of the match. LCCC, when it did enjoy success, found it against NWC's defense, which Siqueira said was slow to react at times.Once again, Martin was among the leaders for NWC. She finished with 25 assists, nine digs and six kills. Peterson led the team in kills with seven, and Katie Gregg added five. Marisa Shigetomi added a team-high 11 digs. • Up next: NWC has three matches scheduled this week, including one with Sheridan College today (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. at Hank Cabre Gymnasium.

NWC improves to 26-7 overall

A pair of home matches translated into two more victories for the Northwest College volleyball team late last week.

The Lady Trappers, now 26-7 for the season and 4-0 at Hank Cabre Gymnasium, earned decisions over Eastern Wyoming College Friday night and Laramie County Community College Saturday afternoon.

Against the Lancers, NWC overcame a slow start, which included a 30-28 loss in the first set. The Lady Trappers responded to their first set loss at home by winning the next three sets 25-17, 25-22, 25-10.

“The first set was very shaky,” said NWC head coach Flavia Siqueira. “As a team, we were focused for a run of four to five points and then unfocused for another run of points. Toward the end of the set, we were ahead seven points and could not finish it. EWC took advantage of our down moment and won the first game 30-28.

“It was hard for me to make any changes because when one or two players are having a bad game, I can substitute for them. But when the 11 players on the roster are unfocused, there is not much I can do.”

Fortunately for the Lady Trappers, their focus was better in the ensuing set, according to Siqueira. During set three, the up-and-down play surfaced again, but NWC was able to squeak past the Lancers by three points. In the fourth and final set, NWC put together a solid effort and cruised to a 15-point decision.

“Eastern Wyoming played much better than when we saw them at the tournament in Riverton,” Siqueira said. “They are passing a lot better, and their libero had a great match.

“Finally, in the fourth set, we came back and played well. Maddie Peterson played in the middle, and Rebekah DePesa came in on the outside. Both of them did a great job.”

Among the highlights for NWC Friday night was the performance of setter Carol Martin, who finished with 47 assists, 29 digs and six kills. Thabata Galvao added 12 kills and 20 digs, and Peterson and Irelis Avendano finished with 14 and 11 kills, respectively.

On Saturday, NWC swept LCCC in three straight sets, 25-20, 25-15, 25-18. In the first set, the Lady Trappers built a 19-9 advantage before the Golden Eagles fought back and trailed just 22-20.

With LCCC threatening to mount a comeback effort, NWC scored three straight points to claim the first set.

Set two was close in its early stages, but the home team was able to build a sizable advantage en route to a 10-point victory. In the deciding set, NWC led by as many as 10 points before disposing of LCCC 25-18.

Siqueira said her front row played particularly well against LCCC. With few errors and strategic ball placement, the Lady Trappers were able to maintain control of the majority of the match. LCCC, when it did enjoy success, found it against NWC's defense, which Siqueira said was slow to react at times.

Once again, Martin was among the leaders for NWC. She finished with 25 assists, nine digs and six kills. Peterson led the team in kills with seven, and Katie Gregg added five. Marisa Shigetomi added a team-high 11 digs.

• Up next: NWC has three matches scheduled this week, including one with Sheridan College today (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. at Hank Cabre Gymnasium.