Scott McInnis wants to see commitment from his young roster, even if the development process takes some time.
North Platte lost seven of eight players from last year, and senior setter Lauren Payne served as a reserve last year. McInnis, who recorded his 150th career win as coach last year, doesn’t know what the new rotation will look like coming off one of the most successful stints in program history.
The departing senior class went 69-25-4 the past three seasons and won two straight KCI Conference Tournament titles and in addition to taking the regular season league crown in 2013 and 2015.
The losses included Katie Heese, who became North Platte’s first ever selection to an all-state team. She made the Class 1 honorable mention list last season after leading the Panthers in kills (252) and blocks (40) to go with 201 digs and 88 aces.
Brittney Gerling, Maddie Lee, Emmie Lee and setter Kailey Pike joined Heese as all-region selections.
North Platte went 27-9 but lost to KC Lutheran in a Class 1 District 15 semi, a matchup created when Northland Christian became Missouri State High School Activities Association eligible in the middle of the season. The Trailblazers took the No. 1 seed, setting up that semifinal.