Platte County jumped right into Suburban Conference White Division play with a pair of sweeps and immediately moved over .500 on the season in the process. The Pirates dominated Truman on the road Tuesday and then made short work of Raytown in Thursday’s home opener.
Platte County junior Ella Cruce hits a set during a match with Raytown on Thursday at Pirate Fieldhouse.
The offensive versatility showed in the 25-3, 25-16, 25-9 demolition of overmatched Raytown at Pirate Fieldhouse.
Platte County junior Miah Omoike (nine), sophomore Kylie Hill (eight) and seniors Kate Brunner (seven) and Emma Brinkman (six) were the leaders in kills, but service played a big part int he blowout. The Pirates rolled up 26 aces total — a career-high 10 for Brinkman, eight for junior setter Ella Cruce, four for junior Phoebe Pennington and two apiece for Hill and junior Collins Cole.
Raytown struggled to even put up an attack evidenced by the digs leaders for Platte County: Cruce (five) and Pennington, Cole and junior libero Mike Buntz (four apiece). The Pirates welcomed the chance to build some confidence for a roster with plenty of experience but also question marks after losing a large, talented graduating class.
Platte County opened at 2-3 overall after a loss to Liberty North and a split of four matches with Nebraska teams in last weekend’s Lincoln Northeast Blastoff Tournament. The Pirates face a second straight season in Class 5 with last year ending in the first round of district play.
In addition to players moving into more prominent roles, Omoike returns after missing most of last season with a shoulder injury. She played a big role as a freshman in leading Platte County to the Class 4 state semifinals and a fourth-place finish. Brunner, Hill and Brinkman join her in forming the basis of the Pirates’ front-line attack.
Platte County senior Emma Brinkman prepares to serve during a match with Raytown on Thursday at Pirate Fieldhouse.
Platte County has won three straight going into another busy week that start with Tuesday’s road conference match at William Chrisman. The Pirates sit at 4-3 overall (2-0 in White Division) and have won three straight.
Platte County 3, Truman 0
The Pirates earned a 25-8, 25-14, 25-16 conference sweep Tuesday in Independence.
This win included 20 service aces for Platte County — nine for Cruce, six for Pennington and two for Buntz. Cruce, now the featured setter after playing a big role in a two-player rotation last season, also dished out 20 assists with Omoike (seven kills) again leading the Pirates attack.
Hill added six kills and junior middle blocker Charlotte Schlake finished with five.
Buntz led Platte County’s defense with 10 digs, while Cruce picked up eight and Pennington seven in a strong defensive effort. The Pirates also totaled four blocks with Omoike and Brinkman leading with two assists apiece at the net.
