October 28, 2009 saw the final regular season match between the #3-ranked Western Nebraska Community College Cougars and the #20-ranked Northeastern Junior Colleg Plainswomen. 

In a match 15 days earlier, the then 5th-ranked Cougars defeated the then 12th-ranked Plainswomen in a convincing sweep.  That match took place in Scottsbluff at Cougar Palace.  Since that match, however, much had taken place.  NJC rattled off 5-straight wins, all in convincing fashion.  WNCC saw the grueling knee injury (a dislocation) of their starting setter Sabina Piegza.

The stage was set, on the court in Jackson Edwards Arena in the Bank of Colorado Event Center, for an epic clash between two long-time rivals.  Although, to be a true rivalry, it must be two-sided, which had not been the case.  WNCC had defeated NJC each of their meetings over the last 8 years.  But this time would be different.

Set 1 - NJC and WNCC fought had throughout.  WNCC gained the early edge, then NJC battled back.  NJC gained the mid-set edge, then WNCC battled back.  But when all was said and done, NJC gained the final edge outdueling the Cougars 25-20. 

Click here to hear the first set between NJC and WNCC (25:21)

Set 2 - NJC gained an early edge on WNCC in the second set, bolting out to a 22-11 edge.  With the set seemingly in hand, NJC watched WNCC battle back before finally closing them out 25-16.  That gave the Cougars momentum heading into the lockerroom.

Click here to hear the second set between NJC and WNCC (23:29)

Set 3 - Out of the break, WNCC had their guns a-blazing.  Two changes provided a much different block and back row for the NJC offense to hit at and gave WNCC enough edge to take the set.  But it wasn't without dramatics, with NJC fighting back from 6 points down before falling 25-22.

Click here to hear the third set between NJC and WNCC (27:54)

Set 4 - Much like set 3, NJC had trouble finding offensive rhythm against a revitalized WNCC block and back row.  This allowed WNCC to bolt out to a double-digit lead.  WNCC led 22-11.  But much like WNCC did to NJC in set 2, NJC was able to battle back and only fall 25-16.

Click here to hear the fourth set between NJC and WNCC (21:13)

Set 5 - It all came down to one set to 15 by 2.  NJC had the edge with momentum from a stunted comeback in set 4.  WNCC had the mentalilty, with just two losses on the year.  But NJC had put WNCC in a hole they hadn't been in since 2003 -- playing 5 sets in back-to-back matches.  After dueling back and forth early, WNCC built 9-6 edge.  But NJC would come back and tie the match at 12.  After points of more dueling, NJC would take set and match points at 14-13, 15-14, and 16-15 unsuccessfully.  They would finally close out the Cougars at 18-16 defeating them for the first time in 8 years.

Click here to hear the fifth set between NJC and WNCC (24:27)

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