Indians' comeback falls short in 3-1 loss to No. 3 WNCC

MCC’s Brooklyn Evans (3), Tristin Trampe (1) and Megan Orth (5) try blocking Kadara Marshall’s tip during the third set of Thursday’s match between the Indians and Western Nebraska Community College.

Gabe Gauthier/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Community College Indians battled with Western Nebraska Community College before falling 3-1 (20-25, 25-20, 25-15, 29-27) Thursday night at the MCC Pete & Dolores Graff Events Center.

With the loss, MCC drops to 12-12 on the season, while WNCC improves to 20-3.

WNCC swept MCC just 10 days prior, with a 3-0 decision on Sept. 18 in Scottsbluff, but the Indians showed that Thursday’s contest would be anything but easy for the Cougars.

Entering Thursday’s match ranked No. 3 in the latest NJCAA Division I rankings, the Cougars were put on the ropes early by the Indians. MCC had runs of 7-0 and 8-1 to help the Indians grab the opening frame 25-20 and take an early 1-0 set lead.

WNCC responded with its own 25-20 set victory in the second period, then put together a solid 25-15 win in the third to go up 2-1.

That set up a fourth set that saw MCC reach set point at 27-26. The Cougars, however, closed the match out with a 3-0 run.

MCC, is back in action Tuesday, Oct. 3 with a road match at rival North Platte Community College.