VOLLEYBALL ROUNDUP: Platte County showing growth during win streak

CHRIS PATTERSON/Citizen photo Platte County’s Mikayla Wheeler (9) hits a set in the Dig for the Cure night on Monday, Sept. 28 at Platte County High School. The Pirates swept Lee’s Summit West in a nonconference matchup. Platte County continued to show its growth Monday, Sept. 28 on Dig for the Cure Night at Platte County High School.

Against Lee’s Summit West, the Pirates scored a sweep to win 26-24, 25-21 and run the current winning streak to three matches. Their record stood at 11-5-1 entering a Suburban Conference Blue Division matchup against Winnetonka on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.

Madysen Fine, a senior, continued to take the setup controls with 19 assists, while Kenedy Knox (nine kills) and Kenzie Polley (seven kills) led a balanced offense. Fine also recorded five kills. Rylie Collins, the senior libero, provided 14 digs.

In the opening set, Platte County led 8-3, but the set ended up tied five times from there with the lead also changing hands. The Pirates scored the final two points to win, and then broke a 21-21 tie in the second set to pull away and close out the sweep.

“This was an awesome win for our team,” Platte County coach Shelby Hoffman said. “I thought we showed a lot of grit and determination digging up many of the Titans hard hit spikes and putting down some well-placed hits and tips of our own.”

Platte County players and coaches wore pink, and the teams used a white and pink ball to honor cancer survivors, those fighting the disease and those who died after losing the battle. The Pirates specifically honored Stephanie Jermain, and donations for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

Platte County 2, Raytown South 0

The Pirates finished off a season sweep of the Cardinals and improved to 5-1 in Blue Division play Thursday, Sept. 24 at Platte County High School.

Playing a second league game in three days, Platte County won 25-13, 25-9 behind 10 kills from Madysen Fine and four from sophomore Kenzie Polley. Rachel Noll provided three aces and seven service points, while Bailey Harris notched 10 assists with the Pirates using a lot of the roster against the overmatched Cardinals.

“We made a few too many mistakes but I feel like we are continuing progress as a team and look forward to the second half of our season,” Hoffman said.

Platte County swept Belton two days earlier.

North Platte 2, Lawson 0

North Platte maintained its unbeaten record in KCI Conference play Thursday, Sept. 24 with the regular season winding down.

On the road at Lawson, the Panthers won 25-18, 25-21 to move to 3-0 in league play with matchups against East Buchanan, Mid-Buchanan, Plattsburg and West Platte remaining on the league slate. They also play West Platte in a neutral site game during the final two weeks.

North Platte was scheduled to play KC Lutheran on Tuesday, Sept. 29, but the result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.

After beating Lawson, North Platte had won 16 straight matches since the lone loss of the season to Bishop LeBlond back in late August. The Panthers (17-1) received eight kills apiece from Maddie Lee and Katie Heese against Lawson, while Kailey Pike continued her steady play with 21 assists.

Heese also provided 15 digs.

Park Hill South 2, Blue Springs 0

The Panthers made it five straight wins Thursday, Sept. 24 since a loss and a draw during the previous weekend’s Lee’s Summit North Bronco Invitational.

Andi Elley recorded 11 kills to lead Park Hill South’s attack against Blue Springs. She also finished just one dig behind Sydney Stewart’s team-high of 12 digs. Bri Bartosh, who notched six kills, and Cameron Mottet provided two aces apiece.

Park Hill South swept Truman on Tuesday, Sept. 22 to improve to 5-0 in Suburban Conference Red Division play entering a matchup with Ruskin on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.

Park Hill 2, Ruskin 0

The Trojans entered off back-to-back league losses but came away with an easy sweep Monday, Sept. 28 in Kansas City, Mo.

Park Hill (8-12-3, 2-4 Suburban Red) was swept at home vs. Truman on Thursday, Sept. 24 but won the middle set of a 2-1 loss at home to Liberty on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Against Liberty, Sabrina Corley and Tyah Barrnett provided support on offense for to Sweeney for Park Hill with five kills apiece. Sweeney led the Trojans with eight, while Corley added 2½ blocks.