Volleyball team has long
week of action
by Tad
Brewer
Landmark reporter
The Lady Pirate volleyball team began what would be a
long week of game-play, starting with a tough loss to
a visiting St. Mary’s team.
Platte County lost both of the matches against St. Mary’s.
In game one, the Lady Pirates lost 15-8 despite some long
rallies. In game two, Platte County played them much closer
and even had the lead for a while near the conclusion
of the game, but the Lady Pirates still fell 16-14.
“We were off on our hits and for the match had 19
bad spikes, some of which were blocked by St. Mary’s,”
said head coach Kathy Hatfield. “We definitely played
less than our best and let this one slip by.”
Senior Julie Cook led Platte County with six points followed
by senior Megan Nichols who had five. Cook also had 11
good spikes and six kills with Nichols next with 10 spikes
and 5 kills. Sophomore Brandie Scott had nine spikes with
three kills. Junior Tara Porter led the team with 12 assists
and was followed by senior Jessica McCammon who had 6.
Sophomore Brea Schockey had the one and only ace block
for Platte County.
The night following the loss to St. Mary’s, Platte
County hosted the West Platte Blue Jays. The Lady Pirates
won the match with ease by scores of 15-1 and 15-2.
“We were dominant in all phases of the game,”
Hatfield said. “West Platte had trouble with our
tough serves.”
Senior Erin McPherson and Nichols led Platte County with
eight points apiece, and Cook added six of her own. Nichols
and Cook combined for 14 good spikes and 7 kills. Porter
had eight assists.
Two days after the victory over West Platte, conference
rival Cameron came into town. The Lady Pirates snatched
the lead of the conference with a win over Cameron.
In game one, Platte County fell behind early and at one
time trailed 11-2, but were able to rally back and tie
the score up at 11 each. In the end, Cameron was able
to hold the Lady Pirates off 15-12.
Cameron and Platte County played equally in the second
game and were both tied at seven apiece, but the Lady
Pirates pulled away for Cameron and won 15-9.
Both teams tried to take the lead in game three, and
remained tied through eight points. The Lady Pirates were
able to overcome Cameron by a score of 15-10.
“It proved to be a hard game for both teams and
a good conference battle,” said Hatfield.
Porter had 19 points and 5 timely ace serves. Nichols
and McPherson both had seven points each. Nichols also
had 29 good hits and 16 kills, Cook had 15 god spikes
with 3 kills, and McPherson had 14 good spikes and 5 kills.
Schockey had eight total blocks, four of which were aces,
and Cook and Nichols both had two blocks apiece. Nichols
and Porter together combined for seven of the ten ace
dinks. Porter led the team with 24 assists; McCammon followed
Porter up with 4.
The Lady Pirates will be assured the conference title
if they can defeat Savannah Oct. 18 in Savannah. If the
Pirates lose they will tie for conference champion with
Benton.
Platte County’s next action of the week came at
the Truman Tournament.
In the first game of the tournament, the Lady Pirates
had a tough draw taking on a 14-2 Blue Springs team. Everyone
on the front row for Blue Springs was over six feet tall
and they dominated the net against the Lady Pirates. Blue
Springs won by the score of 15-4 in both games. Platte
County were able to put down 18 good spikes as a team
with 4 kills and 3 ace dinks.
“They were the biggest team we’ve played,”
Hatfield said. “With their height, they really took
away any offense we had.”
The next game of the tournament pitted the Lady Pirates
into a duel with the William Chrisman squad. Chrisman
did not have the height advantage that Blue Springs did,
but they were very aggressive and had just split a match
against Blue Springs.
The Lady Pirates lost to Chrisman in consecutive games
by scores of 15-6 and 15-8. Platte County had numerous
rallies and even had a chance to win game two. Cook served
five straight points and had a match high nine points
in game two. The Lady Pirates served 100 percent as a
team and had 23 good hits but only nine kills. The 6’1”
junior Cassie Philipi had 10 blocks against Chrisman,
and 23 total on the day.
“Chrisman was just scrappy and wouldn’t let
the ball hit the floor,” said Hatfield. “They
were definitely a very good team.”
The final match of the tournament put Platte County up
against Winnetonka. The Lady Pirates won both games against
Winnetonka 15-12, 15-12. Winnetonka was another large
team that had a 6’3” middle blocker that Platte
County had to hit around. The Lady Pirates served 97 percent
as a team. McCammon led the team with nine service points
and was followed by Nichols who had eight points. Cook
led with 18 good spikes.
“We played well at the net both hitting and blocking
and our digging was good,” Hatfield said.
Senior Kecia Willoughby, junior Amanda Cole, and McCammon
did the entire back row digging for the Lady Pirates.
Platte County’s match at Savannah Oct. 18, is their
final match before districts begin on Oct. 22.
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