The Northwest College volleyball team returned home winless after a tough ending on another long road trip to Nebraska, as the Trappers fell in four matches at the McCook Community College Labor Day Weekend Tournament.

“It was really high competition, and it was one of those things where I felt like every team that we went up against brought their absolute best game for the weekend against us, which I take as a compliment,” coach Nicole Buck said. “It was really tough. The teams that we were seeing weren’t nationally ranked, at least yet, but at least a couple of them are knocking on that door.”

In the closest match of the weekend the Trappers (4-8) started ahead against North Platte Community College (5-3).

The Trappers won the first set 25-20, before losing the second set 25-21. Northwest won set three 25-23 before losing the fourth set 25-17 and ultimately falling in the fifth set 15-10.

In the second match of the weekend the Trappers took on Iowa Western Community College (9-3).

Despite two close first sets, the Trappers fell 25-23 and 25-21, before the Reivers won the final set 25-14.

On Saturday the Trappers took on Butler Community College (5-5) as the Grizzlies won 25-10, 25-18 and 25-12.

In the final match of the tournament the Trappers took on the host Lady Indians (6-6).

McCook took the first set 25-12, and won the second and third sets 25-17, 25-18.

“I felt like at the end of these last three weeks we kind of hit a dip,” Buck said. “We were very tired, both mentally and physically, and they were still learning and improving, but we definitely just hit a dip.”

McKinlee Scammon led Northwest with 27 kills for the weekend, Jaylie Critchfield led with 52 assists, Nevaeh Bell led with 32 digs, Torey Parker and Saige Kidd had 6.5 blocks each while Piper Martin led with six aces.

“We had a big talk at the end of the tournament, just that the traveling and the losses, all of it was worth it if every athlete can walk away with at least one thing that they really learned,” Buck said. “I already feel like we’re learning from it, which I guess makes it worth it.”

HOME TOURNAMENT

The Trappers return home for the first time this season, hosting a tournament this weekend with five teams in attendance.

Northwest hosts the first game Thursday night at 6 against Colorado Northwestern Community College (0-4).

Games will be ongoing all day Friday and Saturday, with the Trapper games at 4 p.m. on Friday against Dawson Community College (0-6) and at 8 p.m. against Williston State College (3-2).

The Trappers end the weekend on Saturday afternoon against Miles Community College (7-5) at 4 p.m.

“It’ll just be nice to play in front of a home crowd, be able to eat our own food and sleep in our own beds in between every game,” Buck said.

NORTH PLATTE CC 3, NORTHWEST 2 (20-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-17, 15-10)

Total blocks then solo blocks in ()

Kills — Torey Parker 13, McKinlee Scammon 11, Chaney Reish 8, Brakkin Larsen 5, Saige Kidd 2

Assists — Jaylie Critchfield 20, Piper Martin 11, Ellee Summers 3, Saige Kidd 1

Digs — Ellee Summers 10, McKinlee Scammon 9, Piper Martin 9, Jaylien Critchfield 8, Nevaeh Bell 8, Torey Parker 3, Chaney Reish 2

Blocks — Brakkin Larsen 3.5, Saige Kidd 2, Eva Murray 1.5 (1), Torey Parker 1, Chaney Reish 1 (1)

Aces — Ellee Summers 2, Torey Parker 2, Piper Martin 2, Saige Kidd 1, Jaylin Mills 1

IOWA WESTERN CC 3, NORTHWEST 0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-14)

Kills — McKinlee Scammon 7, Saige Kidd 6, Jaylin Mills 4, Torey Parker 3, Lindsey Talfili 2, Nevaeh Bell 1

Assists — Piper Martin 9, Jaylie Critchfield 8, Ellee Summers 1, Nevaeh Bell 1

Digs — Ellee Summers 12, Jaylie Critchfield 7, Nevaeh Bell 5, Piper Martin 5, McKinlee Scammon 4, Saige Kidd 1, Torey Parker 1

Blocks — Saige Kidd 2.5, Torey Parker 2 (1), McKinlee Scammon 1, Brakkin Larsen .5, Lindsey Talfili .5

Aces — Piper Martin 3, Ellee Summers 2, Torey Parker 1, Jaylin Mills 1

BUTLER CC 3, NORTHWEST 0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-12)

Kills — Brakkin Larsen 7, McKinlee Scammon 4, Chaney Reish 3, Natalee Hayder 1, Eva Murray 1, Torey Parker 1

Assists — Jaylie Critchfield 11, Piper Martin 5

Digs — Nevaeh Bell 11, Jaylie Critchfield 7, Jaylin Mills 7, Ellee Summers 2, McKinlee Scammon 2, Brakkin Larsen 2, Natalee Hayder 1, Torey Parker 1, Piper Martin 1

Blocks — Eva Murray 3 (1), Brakkin Larsen 1, Torey Parker 1, Jaylin Mills 1, Chaney Reish 1

Aces — Piper Martin 1

McCook CC 3, NORTHWEST 0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-18)

Kills — Torey Parker 6, McKinlee Scammon 5, Lexie Snyder 3, Saige Kidd 2, Chaney Reish 2. Natalee Hayder 1, Eva Murray 1

Assists — Jaylie Critchfield 13, Piper Martin 5

Digs — Nevaeh Bell 8, Jaylie Critchfield 7, Torey Parker 4, Natalee Hayder 3, McKinlee Scammon 3, Lexie Snyder 3, Lundyn Murray 3, Chaney Reish 3

Blocks — Torey Parker 2.5 (1), Saige Kidd 2 (1), Jaylie Critchfield 1, Chaney Reish 1, Lindsey Talfili .5

Aces — Lexie Snyder 1, Nevaeh Bell 1