Volleyball beats Spokane to remain number one

NIC put on a show in their final home game by defeating Spokane 3-1 on Friday night, and remained undefeated in conference play.

Chloe Knudson has been an absolute star for NIC in her second season, and is currently in the top 20 in the NWAC in total digs and kills.

Number one ranked NIC proved to be too much to handle for the second ranked Sasquatch in the 25-21, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20 victory. The Cards defeated Spokane earlier this season in a five set thriller on the road, and heading into the night NIC was still the only team to defeat Spokane since 2017.

Previous home games this season have been plagued by slow starts, but NIC got off to a quick 4-0 start and never trailed in the first set. The Cards then took a highly contested second set that’s largest lead was three points, and featured 10 ties. 

Spokane fought back in the third set to avoid the 3-0 sweep, but could not hold back an NIC team hungry to remain on top of the conference in the fourth and final set.

Kynzey Mitzel came up with multiple spectacular plays in the victory. Something that has become very common for the stud libero, who ranks seventh in the NWAC in total digs.

Leading the way offensively for the Cards in her final home game was second year player Chloe Knudson with 13 kills. Hokulea Vargas put up 50 assists, and Kynzey Mitzel came up with 24 digs in her final game at Christianson.

“It’s amazing. Coming in we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Mitzel said. “It was obviously one we wanted to win because it was sophomore night and our last home game, so just winning and being able to beat Spokane again was just an awesome feeling.”

The Cards have two games remaining on the season, and need to win just one to clinch the East region championship and a number one seed in the NWAC tournament.

Kynzey Mitzel, Chloe Knudson, Monique Johnson and Hannah McPhetridge celebrated sophmore night with friends and family before their final home game at NIC.

Up next for the Cards (14-0, 25-3) is game at Blue Mountain (2-11, 7-21) Thursday Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. The Cards then take on Treasure Valley (10-3, 20-12), who NIC defeated 3-1 earlier this season, Friday Nov. 8 at 6 p.m.

“Treasure Valley will be a tough one,” Mitzel said. “But playing really hard these next two games and focusing in practice will help get us mentally prepared for the tournament.”

The NWAC tournament is November 21-24 in Tacoma, Wa and can be streamed through the NWAC website.