Being a top-notch program in its respective class in recent history has its perks as the Platte County volleyball team (21-7) clinched the No. 1 seed in the Class 4 District 8 Tournament that will be played at Kearney High School.
The Lady Pirates have been killing it all fall, only losing three total sets in their winning matches as they have swept 18 opponents. When Platte County took down Raytown (3-8) in three sets on Oct. 4, it earned the sixth consecutive 20-plus win season.
Platte County’s Kendall Johnson has helped the Lady Pirates earn their sixth straight 20+ win season and the top-seed in the Class 4 District 8 Tournament.
Platte County has rattled off multiple winning streaks this fall, the longest one being an 11-game sequence starting in the Lansing Invite on Sept. 10 and ending at the Winnetonka Invite when the Lady Pirates won the tournament on Sept. 17. A majority of the Lady Pirates’ losses have been against tough opponents – including four teams in Kansas and Nebraska – with the last two defeats coming against Liberty North (21-3) and St. Pius X (17-5).
Along with Park Hill South (6-17) on Sept. 26, Belton (21-5) is the other squad who has taken Platte County to four sets in a losing fashion, doing so twice. The White Division opponent has won one set in both the matches against Platte County, most recently on Oct. 6.
Belton won the first set 25-21 and Platte County had a rare situation; the Lady Pirates trailed a match 1-0. Platte County then rattled off three straight set victories by scores of 26-24, 25-21 and 25-19.
Avery Walter helped lead the squad to the victory with 35 receptions and 17 digs, while Karsyn Stehlik and Madison Hoyt both had five blocks. Tatianna Murray added 23 kills, seven blocks and four aces.
Platte County will start postseason play against Kansas City’s East (10-6-2) on Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. With a win, the Lady Pirates would move on to the Class 4 District 8 Semifinals on Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. and the district championship on Oct. 25 at 6 p.m.