Park Hill South locked up a share of the Suburban Conference Red Division title with a sweep of Truman on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Independence, Mo.
Annika Welty, Park Hill South’s senior all-state middle hitter, returned from a minor back injury to post nine kills in the 25-10, 25-23 victory. She missed four matches the previous weekend in the Truman Tournament.
Park Hill South (21-6-2) finished 9-1 in Red Division play, tied with Liberty. The two teams split the season series.
In the win over Truman, Park Hill South junior Michell Dvorak (eight kills) and sophomore Rachel Francis (six kills) added to a diverse attack that produced 31 total kills. Adah Anderson — a freshman — had both service aces for the Panthers, while freshman Arley Anderson produced 27 assists.
Kacy Lewallen, a junior, led Park Hill South’s defense with 16 kills in her continued development into the defensive specialist role.
Park Hill South earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 4 District 16 tournament, looking to defend last year’s title. The Panthers earned a bye in the seven-team bracket and were set to open play in a semifinal Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Platte County 2, Belton 0
An easy sweep in the regular season finale locked up second place in the Suburban Conference Blue Division standings.
Platte County, which lost both matches to champion Kearney this season, finished 8-2 after dismantling Belton on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Belton, Mo. Platte County coach Katlyn Donovan stretched her bench, but seniors Kenzie Polley (seven kills) and Lauren Walker (five kills) still led the offense in the 25-8, 25-13 victory.
Ashley Bell, a sophomore setter, served up three aces for Platte County, while junior Jaycie Stubbs led the defense at the net with three blocks.
Park Hill 2, Blue Springs 1
The Trojans overcame a lackluster start for a Gold Division win Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Blue Springs, Mo.
Down a set, Park Hill came back for a 14-25, 25-16, 25-17 victory behind eight kills apiece for seniors Kai Welsh and Kayla Huffman. Sabrina Lane, a junior, added seven for an attack that ended up producing 36 kills total.
Park Hill produced a strong service game in the comeback with Lane hitting three aces and junior Rachel Pella and Huffman adding two apiece. Pella (eight blocks) and senior Madison Michaelis (17 digs) and Lane (16 digs) led the Trojans’ defense.
Blue Springs South 2, Park Hill 0
The Trojans closed the regular season with a loss Thursday, Oct. 12 in Blue Springs, Mo.
Pella (six kills) and Lane (five kills) led Park Hill’s offense, while Michaelis recorded a pair of aces. Pella also had six blocks, while Michaelis led the defense with 12 digs.
Blue Springs South won both regular season matchups between the two teams, and Park Hill finished 5-7 in Gold Division play.