In their final home game of the 2021 season, NKC volleyball took on the Lee's Summit Tigers, who stood at 12-12, going into this contest.
 
The Hornets needed a win to stay alive in the conference title race, and from the start, this game proved to be everything that a conference battle should be. Both teams trading blows, not relinquishing any ground.
 
Yanni Washington came out on fire, racking up kills throughout the first set, setup by great backline defensive plays by Ottis, Jones and Minatee- just to name a few. As a result, the Hornets jumped out to an early lead, and controlled it throughout the first set.
 
A theme of this contest was the Tiger's unwillingness to fall behind a large margin, and their ability to erase 3–5-point deficits almost immediately. As showcased when the Hornets forced 3 set-points in the first set, and Lee's Summit still recovered to take the set (29-27)
 
In the second set, the Tigers opened with early momentum, likely powered by the late set comeback. Ashlyn Bellamy and Brooke Boyer matched the outside effort by Washington and Reese, which led to a series of great blocks and insane saves. The back-and-forth would continue; however, the Tigers would take over late, and ultimately grab a 2-0 set lead (25-20)
 
In the decisive third set, the Hornets caught themselves, and regained momentum on the back of some heads up plays by Estes, Ottis and the forementioned Washington, Reese tandem. In the third set alone, there were 7 ties and 6 lead changes. The Hornets, however, matched the move and stayed alive, in the last game this year at the Hive. (25-22)
 
In the fourth, the battle remained even. Bellamy and Minatee went back and forth on the outside, and both setters, Ottis and for the Tigers, Brylee Johnson set up teammates well, and ultimately set up the final stretch of this contest.
 
Volleyball can be described as a game where the team that can prevent errors the best, or play the best technical game has a heightened chance of coming out with the win. Down the stretch, the Tigers avoided such errors, barely edging out the fourth set. (25-21)
 
Both teams played well, and this is a potential conference rivalry, going forward. As of now, the Lady Hornet's would take on Park Hill South to open up a star-studded district tournament, with a chance to play spoiler to state #1 and defending state champion, Liberty North!