Region IX Champions

Nov. 5, 2018, Sterling, Colo. – The Northeastern Plainswomen volleyball team have done it: they're headed to the National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan. The Plainswomen accomplished this feat by winning three games in a row at the Region tournament in Cheyenne, Wyo. The ladies battled from behind in two of the games to come back and win, rightfully earning their ticket to nationals. 

Northeastern's played their first game against the Western Wyoming Mustangs. The Plainswomen started the first set by winning 25-21, then followed it up by winning 25-18. In the third set, the Mustangs regrouped and defeated Northeastern 25-15. Without batting an eye, the Plainswomen buckled down and won the fourth set, 25-17. That win advanced then to the next round to play against the host, Laramie County. 

Against Laramie, the ladies battled from behind after dropping the first two sets. The Eagles won in extra points 27-25 in the first set, then won handily in the second 25-15. With the whole season and post season on the line, the Plainswomen needed the next three sets. The ladies buckled down and won set three 26-24. In the fourth, the ladies came together once again and won 25-20. Both teams knew what were at stake and came to play in the fifth and final set. It was the Plainswomen who came out on top by defeating the Eagles 15-11. That win allowed them to advance to the Region IX championship game to play against Region rival, the Western Nebraska Cougars. Last time these teams met, the Cougars had the upper hand and won both times. 

This game was exactly what the ladies worked on all season. If the Plainswomen won this, they would head to the national championships in Hutchinson. Flashing back to a year prior, the Plainswomen were in this exact position, but fell to the Cougars. With that loss still lingering in the Plainswomen's minds, the ladies came out to play. They fell in the first set 25-14, which could have been because they were a little timid, but the next three sets were pure magic. Northeastern won the next three sets 25-23, 25-17, and 25-21, crowning them as champions of Region IX. 

The Plainswomen will now head to Kansas to play in the NJCAA National Tournament. Their opponent has not been determined yet, but they will play on Thursday Nov. 15.