Ending the season on the road the Northwest College volleyball team finished on a high, earning a 3-1 win over Gillette College on Saturday.

NORTHWEST 3, GILLETTE COLLEGE 1

(25-23, 25-16, 21-25, 25-22)

With both teams eliminated from postseason contention the final match of the season on Saturday did not have much importance for the Trappers (20-9 overall, 4-8 Region IX North) or Pronghorns (10-14).

That did not stop the Trappers from coming out seeking another win to reach 20 wins for the third time in four years.

Northwest immediately took the lead in the first set, holding on late for a 25-23 win while outhitting the Pronghorns with 12 kills to the host’s five.

The Trappers followed with an even stronger second set, not via more kills, but a better hitting percentage with a .286 kill percentage as a team, recording eight kills with only two errors to earn a 25-16 win.

Gillette got its swing going in the third set, outhitting Northwest via kills and percentage to win 25-21 and force a fourth set.

Neither team gained a significant advantage in a close fourth set, but Northwest pushed ahead late to earn a 25-22 victory for the 3-1 win and the team’s 20th win of the year.

Aidann Mottishaw led the Trappers with 12 kills, added 11 digs and tied for the team lead of 19 assists alongside Holland Stowe.

Mottishaw also led the team with five blocks, and tied for the team lead in aces with three.

Sierra Kilts led the Trappers with 16 digs.

SEASON WRAPS UP

After the win in Gillette on Saturday the Trappers season came to a close as they did not finish in the top four in the Region IX North.

Eastern Wyoming, Western Wyoming, Central Wyoming and Laramie County Community College all advanced to the  Region IX Tournament, by that order of seeding, that started on Wednesday in Cheyenne.

Northeastern College, Western Nebraska Community College, Trinidad State College and McCook Community College were seeded 1-4 from the Region IX South. Two teams from Region IX will advance to the national tournament.

Heading into the offseason the Trappers will have seven players eligible to return from this year’s team, as eight players will depart.

The Trappers will need to replace their top kills from Brooke Larsen this season, and top digger in Kilts, but will have their top three setters eligible to return next season.

NORTHWEST 3, GILLETTE COLLEGE 1

(25-23, 25-16, 21-25, 25-22)

Total blocks then solo blocks in ()

Kills — Aidann Mottishaw 12, Kennedy Oman 7, Brooke Larsen 6, Taylor Wilson 6, Burkelle Field 5, Jordynel Anderson 2, Tilli Danczyk 1

Assists — Holland Stowe 19, Aidann Mottishaw 19

Digs — Sierra Kilts 16, Aidann Mottishaw 11, Brooke Larsen 7, DanniKa Barfuss 6, Kennedy Oman 3, Holland Stowe 3, Sadie Meier 3, Burkelle Field 1, Taylor Wilson 1, Alexis Grgich 1

Blocks — Aidann Mottishaw 5 (3), Kennedy Oman 4.5 (2), Brooke Larsen 3 (2), Jordynel Anderson 1.5 (1), Ellianna Baumstarck 1 (1)

Aces — DanniKa Barfuss 3, Aidann Mottishaw 3, Brooke Larsen 2, Sadie Meier 1