Cards fall to undefeated Spokane CC

NIC at times looked like the team that could finally put a dent in Spokane’s perfect season, but in the end they couldn’t quite keep up with the undefeated conference leader on Tuesday night.

Kynzey Mitzel (left) and Hailee Etter chat during a break in the second set

Kayla Neumann led the Cards in kills with 13, while Kynzey Mitzel contributed 11 digs in the 25-15, 25-22, 25-21 road loss.

Despite losing the first set by a large margin, the Cards kept fighting, and looked like they could rally against Spokane.

The second set was tightly contested. NIC never led, but the Cards tied it up four different times thanks to a strong showing from Hailee Etter, who had four of her six kills in the set.

Sydney Bybee (left) and Hannah Nelson get into position

In the third set, NIC got off to a fast 11-4 start, and it looked like the Cards finally had Spokane figured out, but Spokane quickly battled back, going on a 9-2 run to tie it up at 13 apiece. Spokane then scored three quick points to go up 16-13, and led by at least three points for the rest of the match.

The loss kept the Cards in fourth place in the east region with a 21-11, 9-5 record as they quickly approach their final two games in the regular season.

Up next for the Cards is a home game against Yakima Valley on Friday November 2, then the Cards go on the road to play fifth place Treasure Valley in what could be a battle for that fourth and final playoff spot.