Platte County might not have achieved the desired end to the postseason, but the program’s inaugural season concluded with plenty of forward-facing optimism.
Platte County senior Bryton Bertram hits a spike during a Class 2 District 8 matchup with Oak Park on Tuesday at Staley High School in Kansas City.
Oak Park took advantage of a quick start to earn a 25-14, 25-23, 25-21 sweep in Tuesday’s Class 2 District 8 first round matchup at Staley High School in Kansas City. However, Platte County finished with a winning record of 14-9-1 and perhaps more importantly created a culture built around enjoying the process of development. The 12-player roster of the Pirates included three senior starters — college-bound Bryton Bertram and Alex Stinson, starter William Babcock and Westin Summers.
Platte County posted plenty of program-firsts despite limited players with previous experience with the sport.
“What they’ve accomplished in just one year is nothing short of amazing,” Platte County coach Kristi Whitmer said. “Their growth, dedication, and commitment to each other have made this season unforgettable. We’ve always said our team is more than just a team; we’re a family. And that’s exactly what this group has become.”
Platte County senior Alex Stinson hits a set during a Class 2 District 8 matchup with Oak Park on Tuesday at Staley High School in Kansas City.
Bertram and junior all-around standout Joshua Echeverry recorded a team-high eight kills apiece in the season’s final game, but encouragingly, juniors Drake White (five) and Jokubas Lebedevas (four) were right behind. Bertram and White also produced four blocks apiece for Platte County. Stinson played a key role in a two-setter rotation, and he totaled 11 assists while freshman Cooper Miles led the Pirates with 13.
Echeverry and junior libero Preston Cavan (team-high 12 digs, 30 serve-receives and two service aces) were Platte County’s only players with true depth of previous experience but helped bring along a roster that increasingly relied on Bertram’s height and athleticism down the stretch.
Ultimately, Platte County made too many errors — 14 in attack, seven in service and seven in serve-receive. However, the Pirates nearly stole a set in the second matchup of the season with Oak Park thanks to the diverse play at the net and seven total aces — three for Bertram and one each for Lebedevas and Echeverry.
Oak Park won both matchups between the two teams this season but lost to top-seeded Staley in the district semifinals. Central (St. Joseph) staged a comeback to beat Staley in five sets and win the title.
Platte County’s final record included a 5-2 record in an abbreviated Suburban Conference White Division slate. Ruskin, Truman and William Chrisman did not have teams.
Bertram and Cavan earned first team all-conference honors, while Echeverry and Lebedevas were on the second team and Babcock made honorable mention. The postseason honors cap the first season in program history with more recognition on the amount of accomplishment.
“Being part of the inaugural season of boys volleyball at Platte County High School has been something truly special,” Whitmer said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of boys to share this experience with. They give their whole heart every single day in everything they do, always pushing themselves to improve.”
