Platte County might no longer have a chance to extend an impressive streak, but the optimism to make a late season run remains. The close of this past week included losses to Truman and Belton, which remains in sole possession of first in the Suburban Conference White Division.
Platte County senior Karlee Riggs tips a ball toward the net against Belton on Thursday at Pirate Fieldhouse.
Likely needing to win both or at least one to stay within striking distance, Platte County goes into the final five matches of the regular season playing for Class 4 District 8 seeding. The Pirates went into the season having won five straight conference titles, including two straight in the White Division.
Belton (22-1-1) swept the matchup with Platte County for a second time this season, taking the most recent matchup Thursday at Pirate Fieldhouse.
Returning home after two road tests to start the week, Platte County stayed close, but Belton held on for a 25-22, 25-21, 25-23 victory. Platte County senior Karlee Riggs led the attack with 13 kills but freshman Miah Omoike and junior Malin Cole were next with five each.
Platte County senior Ava Moffitt collected two of three aces, while junior Carissa Bacon added the other. The defense finished with just four blocks total — two assists each for Bacon, Omoike, Cole and junior Emma Macaluso.
Bacon, who splits setter duties, also finished with 11 assists, while senior Sailor Bane led the way with 17.
Platte County junior Malin Cole hits a spike against Belton on Thursday at Pirate Fieldhouse.
Platte County’s backline defense continued to stay strong with four players in double figures for digs. Gia Derose, the standout junior liber led the way, with 15, while Moffitt (14), Bane (12) and Riggs (10) were next on the stat sheet.
Having won back-to-back district titles and finishing third at state in Class 4 two years ago, Platte County went into the season minus eight seniors. Riggs, a two-time Missouri High School Volleyball Coaches Association All-State outside hitter, brought back the most experience, while Cole started all of her sophomore campaign with Macaluso next to her for the second half of the season.
Platte County added Omoike into the attack this year, while players like Moffitt, Bacon, Bane and Derose stepped into much larger roles and have adjusted well. The Pirates go into the final two weeks of the regular season at 14-10-1 and in contention for the Class 4 District 8 top seed.
Having tied with Smithville in the only meeting, Platte County hosts Kearney on Monday in what could determine the top spot. Kearney swept Smithville in their first of two meetings this year, and seeding should be determined before they play again.
Platte County junior Ava Moffitt celebrates a point against Belton on Thursday at Pirate Fieldhouse.
Platte County has reached the Class 4 playoffs in four of the past five years with the only exception coming in 2021 when the postseason classifications put the Pirates in Class 5. They lost the District 8 title game to Park Hill to conclude that season.
Truman 3, Platte County 2
For the second time this season, the Patriots prevailed in five sets over the Pirates.
Truman came back for a 23-25, 25-18, 13-25, 25-21, 15-4 victory Tuesday in Independence, racing back after a potentially disastrous third set. The Patriots were much more efficient in attack and recorded 10 aces.
Platte County finished with a 26.5 kill percentage with Riggs (12), Moffitt and Cole (seven each), Macaluso (six), Omoike (four) and Bacon (three) accounting for 39 total kills. Bane served up 18 assists, while Bacon added 14 to go with three service aces — tied for the team lead with Riggs.
Macaluso also recorded two solo blocks and two block assists, while Derose’s 24 digs were tops for Platte County. Moffitt (17) and Riggs (12) also finished in double figures.
Platte County junior Carissa Bacon hits a spike against Belton on Thursday at Pirate Fieldhouse.
In addition to the two 3-2 victories in White Division play, Truman also swept Platte County in two sets during the recent Winnetonka Invitational. Belton and Truman have the top two spots in the White Division standings going down the stretch of the regular season.
Platte County 3, St. Pius X 0
The Pirates came up with an important 25-15, 25-18, 28-26 sweep Monday in Kansas City behind 18 kills for Riggs and 11 for Omoike.
Overcoming 15 attack errors with a 43.0 kill percentage, Platte County avoided going extra sets in a rematch of last season’s thrilling Class 4 District 8 championship match that sent the Pirates to the playoffs again. Contributions were diverse in this one with Derose tops in digs (16), Moffitt in aces (three), Bane in assists (24) and Bacon and Omoike in blocks (five).
Bacon also totaled seven kills and 15 assists in what at the time gave Platte County three wins in a row and put the Pirates temporarily at a season-best six games over .500.
