Oct. 17, 2005

Last week wasn't bad for the Northeastern Junior College volleyball team. They showed nice recovery skills.

In the busiest week of the season, the Plainswomen jumped into the national rankings at No. 18, went 3-1 in their four matches, had a 16-match winning streak snapped, and then started a new three-match winning streak as the regular season officially heads to the home stretch.

Saturday Northeastern extended that new winning streak by beating Trinidad 30-20, 30-24, 30-22

After starting the season 9-9, Northeastern has won 19 of 20 matches, losing only last Tuesday at No. 2 Western Nebraska Community College.

Against Trinidad, setter Stacey Manweiler led the Plainswomen with 31 assists.

Ashley Murphey had 10 kills while mounting Northeastern's most potent offensive attack.

Shelby Heggie had eight kills and Janie Elkins had six.

Elkins, Erin Holbrook and Lindsey Wilson each had 11 digs, giving the Plainswomen some defensive potency.

Northeastern travels to McCook tomorrow for its final road match of the regular season.

After the battle with the Indians, the Plainswomen will return home for five consecutive home matches to end the regular season.

That run will begin Thursday when Otero comes to town. Then on Oct. 24 Laramie will be in Sterling.

The big test comes Oct. 26 when Western Nebraska gives Northeastern another shot for a win heading into the Region IX tournament.

The Cougars have beaten Northeastern twice this season and figure to be the biggest threat for the Plainswomen to win the Region IX title.