An internal emphasis on consistency helped the Park Hill girls volleyball team make quick work of Park Hill South on Sept. 1, sweeping their district rival in three sets on the road.
After the Trojans’ visit to Park Hill South last year required a memorable comeback from 2-0 to win 3-2, no major comeback was required this time around. Park Hill overcame narrow deficits in the opening two sets before cruising through the third set to seal the straight-set victory on the Panthers’ Senior Night.
“Anytime you play Park Hill South, it’s going to be a great game,” Park Hill head coach Lindsey Hood said. “Being more resilient through the highs and the lows of the game and sticking to it.”
After working younger players into the team over the offseason, Park Hill now has a clear focus and mindset as they look to defend their district title.
“I’d like to think we’re consistent,” Hood said. “Consistent pursuing defense, consistent in serve and receive. That’s what we’ve been trying to focus in on these last few weeks.”
The first set was the closest of the night, beginning with Park Hill jumping to a 3-1 lead before a quick 3-0 run from Park Hill South put the Panthers in front 4-3. The Panthers’ lead was short-lived as the Trojans jostled back in front.
Payton Osegueda prepares to strike against the Panthers.
South managed to keep close distance, even erasing a four-point deficit to draw level at 18-18. But Park Hill finished on a strong 4-2 run with Everleigh Bane setting up Payton Osegueda, who had her right-handed swing deflected to secure the first set 25-23.
Park Hill South established themselves on the front foot to begin the second set, taking a 3-1 lead before the lead flipped back and forth numerous times. Once again, Park Hill rose to the occasion when they needed to.
“Our focus for every game is focusing on what we need to do,” Hood said. “If we need to do what we need to do, then we’ll be able to respond as much as possible. Sometimes it might be in our cards, sometimes it might not, but we know we need to focus on us.”
Nikyah Chappell rises high for a spike against in the first set against Park Hill South on Sept. 1.
Junior middle blocker Nikyah Chappell eventually took things into her own hands, winning three consecutive points to bring Park Hill from trailing by a point to leading 16-14 after her block ended a nearly 40-touch rally. A Park Hill South timeout did little to sway Park Hill’s momentum as Finley Dirks served for the final three points, leading the Trojans to take the second set 25-19.
Park Hill controlled nearly the entire third set, creating some distance after South managed to stay close early on. After the Trojans took a 7-4 lead, the Panthers took another timeout, but to no avail as Park Hill edged closer to the sweep.
Park Hill stretched its lead to as many as six points in the third frame, eventually closing out the match with a 25-20 third-set victory.
The rivalry triumph got Park Hill off to a winning start in conference play, sitting at 2-1 overall after splitting results in the Park Hill Tri on Aug. 27.
Everleigh Bane contributed 13 assists against the Panthers.
Osegueda led the way with 15 kills, followed by Chappell’s 10. Chappell teamed up with junior Michael Williams to tally nine blocks while the senior tandem of Anja Karadjova and Harper Dirks combined for 17 digs. Finley Dirks also contributed 16 assists, with Everleigh Bane adding 13.
Hood did not expect her team to beat South in straight sets, something they haven’t done since 2023. She knows Park Hill South has some up-and-coming players who have a bright future.
“She (Park Hill South head coach Barbara Bell) has a lot of young kids right now,” Hood said. “They definitely have some threats. Their seniors are doing a good job of leading the way for those younger girls.”
Park Hill South was held to just two blocks all match. Juniors Devree Coughlin and Ellie Gibbs led the way in setups, combining for 26 assists while Ava Sakic-Conner was the most lethal Panther up front with eight kills.
Park Hill added a second conference win on Sept. 3, when they defeated Liberty 3-1. After taking the first set 25-21, Liberty took the second set 29-27 before the Trojans closed it out with a third-set win of 25-23 and a fourth-set win of 25-15.
Park Hill returns to conference play on Sept. 8 when they host Oak Park before visiting Lee’s Summit North on Sept. 10. Even as an experienced coach leading the defending Class 5 District 8 champions, Hood feels the emotions leading up to every match.
“Every game I’m nervous,” Hood said. “I feel like, a lot of times, we have a target on our backs of people who want to play their best game against us. I just want to make sure we are mentally ready to compete.”