After a brief losing skid, Platte County returned to winning ways and continued an unbeaten run in Suburban Conference White Division play with sweeps of Fort Osage and Truman this past week. The Pirates have navigated the busiest, most difficult portions of the schedule and now move toward a stretch run of building momentum and identity for the rigors of Class 5 District 8.
Platte County (15-7-2) broke a three-match skid with Tuesday’s 25-10, 25-22, 25-19 victory over Fort Osage in Independence behind an increasingly consistent offense with a variety of contributors. Four different players recorded at least six kills — seven apiece for seniors Kate Brunner and Emma Brinkman and junior Charlotte Schlake and six for sophomore Kylie Hill.
In addition, Platte County totaled eight service aces spread between six players — a team-high two apiece from Brinkman and junior Phoebe Pennington. The Pirates’ defense also saw five different players with at least seven digs, a match-high 11 from junior Collins Cole. Pennington and junior libero Mikah Buntz added nine apiece, while junior setter Ella Cruce ended up with eight plus 32 assists.
Platte County followed up Thursday with a dominant 25-15, 25-12, 25-13 sweep of Truman at Pirate Fieldhouse. That improved the Pirates to 7-0 in White Division play with a home rematch against Fort Osage on tap for Tuesday.
The two victories came on the heels of a tough trip to the Winnetonka Invitational the previous weekend and then a five-set loss to Park Hill on Monday in Kansas City.
Platte County ended up with a frustrating 26-24, 21-25, 19-25, 25-21, 15-10 loss despite 16 kills for junior Miah Omoike and 10 more from Hill. Buntz (22 digs) and Pennington contributed three service aces apiece, while Cruce posted 36 assists and 11 digs for the Pirates, who have yet to win any of this year’s matches with potential Class 5 District 8 opponents. That includes losses to Liberty North and Park Hill and a tie with North Kansas City in the Winnetonka Invitational.
Last season, Platte County moved up to Class 5 District 8 after a lengthy run of postseason success in Class 4 and dropped an opening-round match to Liberty North.
