WNCC Volleyball Wins Five-Set Thriller, Reaches Final

Western Nebraska Community College beat Trinidad State College 3-2 to set up a Region IX title match against Northwest College.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Volleyball

Western Nebraska Community College defeated Trinidad State College 3-2 on Thursday, advancing to face Northwest College in the Region IX final. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Western Nebraska Community College volleyball defeated Trinidad State College 3-2 on Thursday, winning the set scores 25-20, 21-25, 25-19, 14-25, 15-11. The win advances the team to the Region IX championship game, scheduled for Friday afternoon against Northwest College.

Why it matters

The Region IX title match offers Western Nebraska Community College its first conference championship opportunity in four years. Nebraska readers following regional community college athletics can track the team's progress toward the title.

In the Trinidad State match, Western Nebraska hit .184 while Ahleejah Tovo-Sunia recorded 18 kills and Liis Auvaart posted 49 set assists and 13 digs. The team's hitting efficiency against Eastern Wyoming was higher at .248, and the outcome of Friday's title match against Northwest College remains unknown.

The players

Western Nebraska Community College

A two-year public college in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, whose volleyball program competes in the NJCAA Region IX conference.

Northwest College

A community college in Powell, Wyoming, whose volleyball team defeated Central Community College 25-16, 16-25, 25-21, 25-17 to reach the regional final.

The details

Western Nebraska Community College won Wednesday over Eastern Wyoming College in four sets, then beat Trinidad State College in five sets on Thursday. Gaia Foramiglio added 18 digs and 15 service points in the Trinidad State win, while Freia Palk recorded 15 kills against Eastern Wyoming. The team's last Region IX title came four years ago.

Wednesday: Western Nebraska defeated Eastern Wyoming College in four sets.
Thursday: Western Nebraska defeated Trinidad State College 3-2.
Friday afternoon: Scheduled Region IX title match against Northwest College.
Saturday: The Friday loser is scheduled to play in the second chance final.

Season Trajectory

The Region IX championship bracket determines which teams advance to the NJCAA national tournament. Western Nebraska's Thursday win keeps its postseason run alive, placing it one match from a conference title it last claimed four years ago.

A Region IX title win would earn Western Nebraska a conference championship and a place in the NJCAA postseason. The Friday result also determines whether the team plays in Saturday's second chance final.

The takeaway

Western Nebraska's five-set comeback over Trinidad State shows the value of depth, with four players posting double-digit kills. Readers following the Region IX bracket can track Friday's title match as the next decisive test for the squad.

What happens next

Western Nebraska Community College plays Northwest College in the Region IX title match on Friday afternoon, with the Friday loser scheduled for the second chance final on Saturday.