The Platte County Pirates’ girls’ volleyball team moved its conference record to 4-2 with a four-set win over Fort Osage at home on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Platte County took an early lead in the first set and never trailed. After the Pirates jumped out to a 3-0 lead, Fort Osage battled back to tie the set, but Platte County scored the next three points to take the lead. The set ended in a 25-12 Pirates win.

Platte County sophomore Kate Brunner got a hit on the ball at the net during the Pirates’ win over Fort Osage last week. DENNIS SHARKEY /Citizen Photo

Fort Osage came out with some fire in the second set and dug Platte County into a 3-0 hole early. The Pirates battled back and tied the match four different times, including as late as 6-6. Fort Osage scored the next two points to get a lead, but Platte County would battle back again to get within a point at 10-9 but Fort then went on a 5-1 run before the Pirates stopped the set with a timeout. Platte County scored two points out of the timeout but could never catch up, and Fort Osage tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-18 second set win.

The Pirates trailed on two different occasions to begin the third set, but Fort Osage could not pull away by more than two points, leaving the ship hanging around. Platte County battled back and took a 13-12 lead and extended to a 14-12 lead. However, like Fort Osage earlier in the set, the Pirates could not get more than a two-point lead. Fort Osage tied the match at 17-17, but Platte County scored the next point and would never trail again in the set, going to a 25-21 win in the third set.

The Pirates began the fourth set with an ace and built an early 9-2 lead before Fort Osage took a timeout to try and slow down Platte County. However, Platte County never lost control, leading by as much as 12 points. Fort Osage made a late charge and got to within 21-15 before dropping the set 25-16.

Leading the attack for Platte County was senior Karlee Riggs with 19 kills, followed by senior Ava Moffitt with 10 kills and junior Emma Macaluso with nine kills. Junior Giavanna DeRose had five aces while serving, followed by Moffitt with four and Riggs with two aces.

Platte County’s Karlee Riggs got a hit at the net in the win over Fort Osage last week. DENNIS SHARKEY/Citizen Photo

Platte County had eight blocks in the game, with junior Malin Cole collecting five. Senior Sailor Bane led the team with 21 assists, while junior Ashleigh Cruce had 13 assists, followed by DeRose with six assists and Riggs with four assists. Riggs received 15 serves, while Moffitt handled 14 serves. Moffitt led the team with 22 digs, while DeRose collected 21 digs and Riggs collected 15.

Ava Moffitt / DENNIS SHARKEY/Citizen Photo

The Pirates also have wins over Ruskin, Raytown, and William Chrisman in the conference. Platte County has dropped matches versus Belton and Truman, both in five sets. The Pirates will get a chance to get revenge against both clubs next month. The Pirates spent this past weekend at the Winnetonka Tournament.

The Platte County Citizen