West Platte went winless in a tough trip to the Bishop LeBlond Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 24 in St. Joseph, Mo.
After going 0-3 in pool play, the Bluejays matched up with St. Joseph Lafayette — the other pool’s winner — in the bracket play opener. They played their best of four matches but lost 25-18, 25-17 with Nealie Niemeier posting a team-high seven kills and Ciara Davies adding two blocks.
West Platte’s losses in pool play were all sweeps and came against LeBlond, KC Lutheran and Chillicothe. Against Lutheran, the Bluejays lost the opening set 25-7 but nearly came back to force a third set behind five kills apiece for Niemeier and Jordan Schultz.
Niemeier also led West Platte with eight kills in the loss to Chillicothe.
Mid-Buchanan 2, West Platte 1
The Bluejays won the opening set but went on to drop the KCI Conference matchup Thursday, Sept. 22 in Weston, Mo.
In the opener, West Platte rolled to a 25-9 victory but didn’t handle deficits well in the next two, losing 25-11 and 25-16. Karen Knox and Niemeier posted four service aces each, helping the Bluejays total 12, while Schultz led the attack with nine kills.
Niemeier also led the defense with eight digs, and Davies recorded all three of West Platte’s blocks.
"We started out very strong and were playing really well,” West Platte coach Amber Guthrie said. “In sets two and three, we just seemed to lack some mental toughness and couldn’t battle back when they took a lead on us.”
West Platte dropped to 2-1 in KCI play and ended the weekend 11-9-1 overall entering a Tuesday, Sept. 27 rematch with LeBlond in Weston, Mo. The result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline, but league play continues for the Bluejays on Thursday, Sept. 29 against Plattsburg.
West Platte 2, Lone Jack 0
The Bluejays won a tight 25-19, 25-20 nonconference matchup Tuesday, Sept. 20 in Lone Jack, Mo.
Schultz put up seven kills, while Ciara Davies added six and Daire Stelljes five in a balanced showing. West Platte setter Megan Kottman and Nealie Niemeier even added three apiece.
Kottman also collected 19 assists.
Lawson 2, North Platte 0
The Cardinals swept a KCI matchup 25-18, 25-14 Thursday, Sept. 22 in Dearborn, Mo.
Kelsey Reynolds led North Platte with four kills, while also recording seven digs — tied with McKenzie Brockhoff and Katie Sanders for the team lead. Hayleigh Moore totaled two blocks.
North Platte’s record stood at 3-15-1 overall and 1-2 in KCI play. The Panthers were scheduled to play at KC Lutheran on Tuesday, Sept. 27 (result not available at deadline) before continuing the league schedule Thursday, Sept. 29 at East Buchanan.