Drew Aggus
Special to the Citizen
Park Hill knocked out some tough competition along the way, as they won the Truman Tournament at Truman High School on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Independence.
In the first game, the Trojans faced the Kearney Bulldogs, whom they defeated in just two sets. Park Hill won the first set 25-20 and the second set 25-19.
In their second game of the tournament, the Trojans went up against the Marquette Mustangs. Marquette won the first set 25-17, but Park Hill battled back and won the second set 25-22. In the final set, the Trojans triumphed over the St. Louis school with a 15-9 victory.
Park Hill was pitted against tournament host Truman in their third game of the day. After disposing of the Patriots 25-14 in the first set, the Trojans held on for a 25-23 win in the second set.
The Park Hill volleyball team pose for a trophy from winning the Truman Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Independence.
In the tournament semifinal, the Lee’s Summit West Titans presented a challenge for the Trojans. The Titans took control after winning the first set 25-19, but the Trojans had already come back after being down 1-0, so they knew exactly how to handle this game. Park Hill defeated the Titans 25-18 in both the second set and the third set.
Now, the Liberty Blue Jays were all that stood between the Trojans and the first-place trophy.
In the first set, Park Hill won 25-18 for the third consecutive set. Liberty fought back in the second set, but the Trojans had too much confidence for the Blue Jays to overcome. The Trojans went on to win the second set 25-21 and were crowned tournament champions.
In the championship, Kristen Birmingham earned herself eight of the team’s 20 kills. Hannah Graves contributed with a team-high three aces, and Aliyah Lyons led the team in assists with 10. Defensively, Birmingham led the team with 11 digs, while Graves and Aile Aiono chipped in with five blocks each.
Park Hill finished the day 10-2 in sets and Truman Tournament champions.
The Trojans posted wins against Liberty and Lee’s Summit West, both Class 4 playoff teams from last year.
Other games
Blue Springs 2, Park Hill 0
Park Hill dropped a game on the road against the Blue Springs Wildcats on Thursday, Oct. 17.
The first set was a heartbreaker for the Trojans, as they lost 25-23. The Wildcats took the momentum from the first set and used it to win the second set 25-17.
Kristen Birmingham led the Trojans with nine kills, while Hannah Graves and Shaye Koski recorded five apiece. Aliyah Lyons (11) and Adriana Villegas (10) combined for 21 assists on the night.
Koski led the Trojans’ defensive effort with 10 digs, and Aisha Aiono recorded a team-high five blocks.
Park Hill South 2, Liberty North 1
It took three sets, but the Panthers were able to fight off the visiting Liberty North Eagles on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
The Panthers had a strong first set, winning 25-14, but the Eagles battled back and won the second set 25-22. In the final set, which was about as competitive as one could imagine, the Panthers were able to defeat the Eagles 25-23 to secure the victory.
Park Hill South was led by Rachel Francis, who had a career-high 17 kills on the night to go along with a team-high six blocks. Keegan Good recorded a pair of aces, while racking up a team-high 22 digs. Arely Anderson and Isabel Day each contributed 13 digs, as well, and Anderson led the team in assists with 33.
WILL WRIGHT/Park Hill South High School
Park Hill South’s Rachel Francis (10) goes up for a kill against Liberty North on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at Park Hill South High School.
Park Hill South 2, Truman 0
Park Hill South picked up a road win over the Truman Patriots on Thursday, Oct. 17.
The Panthers only allowed 30 total points on the night, winning the first set 25-11 and the second set 25-19.
Rachel Francis had nine kills and Arley Anderson had 17 assists. Isabel Day had 10 digs, while Alex Dvorak had three blocks.
Up Next
The Trojans hosts Raymore-Peculiar Panthers on Thursday, Oct. 24. The same day, Park Hill South travels to St. Joseph to play Central.
Park Hill and Park Hill South are both in the Class 4 District 15 Tournament. Park Hill made the playoffs last year as the champion of District 16 but got moved this year into one with St. Teresa’s Academy, which took third in state last year. Park Hill South plays KC East at 5:45 p.m., while Park Hill plays Oak Park at 7 p.m. on Monday Oct. 28 at North Kansas City High School.
The winners would play each other on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6:15 p.m.