Platte County’s season hit another high point with the Grain Valley Tournament championship Saturday, Oct. 7.
In pool play, the Pirates beat traditional small school powers Cole Camp and St. Michael’s while tying with Fatima but still finishing first. They then beat Rock Bridge, survived three sets with Pleasant Hill and knocked off St. Pius X in the title match.
Platte County limited Cole Camp to just three kills in a 25-11, 25-16 sweep with junior Carli Hensley recording a team-high 15 digs to lead the Pirates’ defense. Ashley Bell, a sophomore setter, assisted on 26 of 30 kills with senior Kenzie Polley topping Platte County’s attack with 11 kills.
Polley again had 11 kills in a 25-16, 25-14 win over St. Michael’s, while Hensley had two service aces and 12 digs.
Platte County’s important finish came in the opening tie with Fatima, which won the first set 25-22. The Pirates came back to take the second 25-21 with Polley (nine kills) and senior Lauren Walker (seven kills) leading the comeback.
In bracket play against Rock Bridge, Platte County had five service aces — one each for freshman Aly Anderson, junior Kinsi Hoegler, senior Haylie Jerome, Walker and Hensley — while Polley had nine kills. The Pirates weren’t challenged in a 25-17, 25-9 win.
Platte County survived the matchup with Pleasant Hill (22-6-1) for a 25-22, 19-25, 25-20 victory.
Polley had 16 kills in 31 total attempts while senior outside hitter PJ Curry tied her season-high with 11. Bell had a pair of service aces and 33 assists, while three players recorded double-digit digs for the Pirates (Hensley 19, senior Lilly Harrison 14, Jerome 10).
Platte County also had its best match at the net on defense with junior Jaycie Stubbs leading the effort with four blocks. Curry and Walker added three apiece.
Polley made it five matches out of six in double figures for kills with 10 in the championship match, while Walker added seven and Curry six in Platte County’s 25-22, 25-20 sweep of St. Pius X. Polley also had a pair of aces, while Hensley had a tournament-high 24 digs for the Pirates’ defense.
Platte County improved to 21-7-3 with the win — now with more wins than each of the past two seasons. However, the Pirates will be the No. 5 seed in an extremely balanced seven-team Class 4 District 16 bracket that could be wide open.
In the first round, Platte County plays Staley, which won the regular season matchup between the two in late August.
OTHER GAMES
Platte County 2, St. Joseph Central 1
The Pirates turned in another memorable comeback in their home finale Thursday, Oct. 5.
After dropping the first set, Platte County came all the way back in the nonconference matchup for a 22-25, 25-15, 25-21 win. Polley had a match-high 16 kills, while Hensley recorded four service aces for the Pirates.
Hensley led the defense with 25 digs, while Bell put up 37 assists on Platte County’s 41 total kills.
Platte County 2, Grandview 0
The Pirates were efficient with 24 kills in a quick 25-7, 25-5 victory Tuesday, Oct. 3 at Platte County High School.
Harper Sinclair, a junior, put up a season-high eight kills to lead the attack, while Hensley served up four of Platte County’s nine aces. Walker made five blocks at the net for the Pirates, while Bell made no errors in dishing out 17 assists.
Platte County improved to 7-2 in Blue Division play pending the result of a scheduled Tuesday, Oct. 10 match at Belton, which concludes the regular season.