A learning experience-Garden City loses final two in North Platte

By Mike Pilosof

North Platte, Neb-The Broncbusters closed out the Mid-Plains Subway Invite by dropping their final two matches-losing to Durham in five sets (25-21, 15-25, 19-25, 25-18 and 6-15) and to McCook in four (25-21, 20-25, 23-25 and 19-25). Garden City is now 0-5 on the season.

"Our issue right now is not our ability to play volleyball," Head Coach Patrick Hiltz said. "We have to learn to get out of our own way mentally."

In the first match of the day, the Broncbusters showed plenty of fight, coming back after trailing two sets to one. But in the final frame, Garden City committed 12 errors and lost by nine.

"We work hard and play well enough to win, but when it comes time to finish, we crumble," Hiltz added.

Katie McHugh had seven aces along with 35 assists. Adisyn Swan led the way with 12 kills, Katarina Vojvodic added 11, and Summer Nerkowski chipped in 14 digs.

In the second match, Garden City faced off with McCook for the second time in three days. The results were a little more promising than their first showdown on Thursday.

The Broncbusters had their best offensive showing of the young season, taking the first set.

"The entire match, every set was a fight," Hiltz said. "We executed our offense very well at times and not so great other times."

After dropping the second set, errors cost Garden City in the third in a two-point defeat.

"We have to stay the course and keep our cool," Hiltz said. "This team has enough good volleyball players to win games."

Swan paced the Broncbusters with 16 kills and 11 digs. McHugh had 28 assists and 17 digs, Nerkowski totaled 20 digs and Jessica Forbes had 17.

Next up: Garden City plays in the Otero Junior College Classic beginning on Friday vs. Trinidad State at 1 p.m. and Lamar at 5 p.m.