After two consecutive four win seasons, the North Platte volleyball team has been working hard to improve since the end of last fall.
North Platte’s Bailey Richardson is one of three Lady Panther seniors in 2022.
The Lady Panthers lost three 2021 seniors and another contributor who moved to another school. North Platte will bring back six of their top-10 from a year ago.
“They’re looking pretty good for where we are at this season,” North Platte head volleyball coach Doug Lee said. “We had a good summer and we were able to do some winter and spring practices that we haven’t done before, so that should work for our benefit.”
North Platte has three seniors: Bailey Richardson, Brooke Meadows and Allison Morelock. Richardson is a setter, Morelock is a utility player and Meadows is a defensive specialist and serving specialist.
“We have some fill-ins that are going to happen; everyone who is returning is going to play this year but we have a couple of sophomores who are going to get to play. We are restructuring positions, but everyone needs to know how to play every position,” Lee said.
After losing Trinity Whitford from last year, Meadows and Kylee Sipes are in the Lady Panther’s defensive positions and are going to have to step up in her absence. Junior Kinsey Niedfelt is going to be a crucial element this year as well.
“I think to be anywhere competitive, especially in the KCI Conference, we have to be much better servers and much better passers. Our concentration has been in those areas and I’ve seen improvements there,” Lee said.