By Jason Lawrence
Special to The Citizen
Just three years removed from the most successful stretch in program history, and with more seniors this season than the last two combined, the North Platte volleyball team is looking to continue to improve as a young team in 2018.
“We’ve been a very young team the last couple seasons and once again we are very limited on senior players with a high level of experience,” veteran head coach Scott McInnis said. “All the girls have worked hard and are seeing improvement in their skills. We look forward to an improved season and continued growth.”
With just two seniors a year ago – Katie Sanders and Hayleigh Moore – McInnis was able to give several underclassmen valuable experience at the varsity level, though it resulted in a 2-28 record, including a 1-7 mark in KCI Conference play, and a first-round loss to Lawson in the Class 2 District 16 tournament.
Leading the returners are all-conference junior outside hitter McKenzie Brockhoff, senior outside hitter Kelsey Reynolds, junior middle blocker Frankie Davis and sophomore middle blocker Brianna Bridger. With a deeper roster this season that includes four seniors and eight juniors along with 12 underclassmen, McInnis is also expecting immediate contributions from newcomers Maddy Cheadle, a junior transfer from St. Joseph Central, and freshman Emily Westwood, among others.
Citizen photo
North Platte’s Brianna Bridger hits the ball over the net during a match with St. Joseph Christian in a match last year at North Platte High School in Dearborn, Mo.
After winning a pair of KCI Conference Tournament and regular season titles during a three-year stretch, the Panthers are hoping to once again move up the ranks of a competitive conference.
“Every one of our conference schools put together some seriously competitive teams and all of the players and coaches deserve a high level of respect,” said McInnis, who is assisted by Doug Lee. “We take all our competitors very seriously and treat each matchup as the most important.”
North Platte is set to open the season at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 at home against South Holt.