The SCC Lady Storm put up a valiant effort, but in the end, North Platte Community College was too much for Southeast, as the visiting Lady Knights came away with a 3-1 win Thursday, Sept. 26.
Southeast won a thrilling first set 29-27. SCC was down by eight points early in the set before Head Coach Carrie Puhalla called a timeout to make adjustments.
“I told them just to calm down and play their game, “Puhalla said.
SCC hit a lull in the 2nd and 3rd sets, losing 18-25, and 19-25.
“We let down and had too many mental errors,” Puhalla stated.
Southeast started to click again in the 4th set, giving North Platte a run for their money, before falling 23-25.
“We changed our rotation, and we went back to the lineup we won eight straight games with,” Puhalla said.
The coach said the play of freshman outside Hitter Hannah Mitchell was instrumental to the entertaining 4th set.
“Finally, we were able to get the ball over to her,” Puhalla said, “And she got hot.”
Mitchell led the Lady Storm with 12 kills.
Puhalla also credited the play of Outside Hitter Caitlen Wuebbles, in the last two sets. Wuebbles had offseason shoulder surgery and is playing one handed.
The coach said opposing teams should not underestimate Wuebbles.
“She can switch it up and still swing right handed,” Puhalla explained. “She is still a presence that (opposing coaches) have to game plan around.”
Despite the loss, the coach thought Southeast took some positive strides in the match.
“I’m not usually happy when we lose…but we put forth great effort tonight,” Puhalla concluded.