North Platte volleyball downs state power

DEARBORN, Mo. — Katie Heese never doubted North Platte would erase a first-set loss against Aug. 28 against a recent state volleyball powerhouse. A kill from the Panthers junior allowed celebration of a 22-25, 25-20, 25-20 victory at North Platte High School against Bishop LeBlond — a Class 2 state quarterfinalist last year with five straight playoff appearances to its credit. North Platte improved to 2-0 with the win. “It felt great,” Heese said. “I think I lost my voice by the end. I love how we came together. I was pumped. Everyone had it in their mind we were going to (stay undefeated). No one thought we were done. Everyone thought, ‘We’re going to (2-0). We got this. Focus. We got this. Play Smart.’” LeBlond took a commanding 17-9 lead in the first set before the Panthers went on a 12-2 run to move in front at 21-19. The Golden Eagles answered with five straight points to regain the lead and eventually take the set. North Platte jumped to a early 9-4 lead in the second set before the Eagles forged ties at 9, 15 and 20. Heese served out the second set, scoring the final five points with help from two aces to force the deciding set. Senior setter Katelin Dillee finished with 23 assists to facilitate a balanced Panthers’ effort. Baylie Wilson led the attack with eight kills, while Emmie Lee added six. “We have a good unit overall,” North Platte coach Scott McInnis said. “It’s a full team effort. Everybody participated, and everybody contributed. Everybody works hard, so that’s what we need.” McInnis hopes the win helps build experience – a trait lacking when North Platte lost in last year’s Class 1 District 15 semifinals as the No. 1 seed. The Panthers play next Thursday at St. Joseph Christian, ahead of this weekend’s KCI Conference Tournament. “We’re just going to keep doing what we’ve been doing in practice,” McInnis said. “Hopefully as we come together, it will keep getting better. We want to eliminate errors like every team, but hopefully, it continues.” Both of North Platte’s wins came in three-set affairs. The Panthers scored a 25-13, 28-30, 25-16 victory on Aug. 25 against South Holt after The Citizen’s deadline.