By: Hayden Coker, Sports Director
So far this season for North Platte, it has been full of ups and downs. The Dawgs began the year with a tough loss to Gretna East. Since then, North Platte has been on a roller coaster ride. In the beginning of September, the Dawgs lost five straight to Gering, Northwest, Norfolk, Millard West, and Scottsbluff. To put it into perspective, those teams share a combined record of 141-48 for the season.
Whether it's been playing out East or just West to Gering, the Dawgs have faced fierce competition all around. That hasn't stopped the Bulldogs from competing, though.
North Platte is 15-20 this season with tough losses, but they also have some very strong wins. This includes Platte County, Missouri, Sidney, Bellevue West, Hill City, South Dakota, McCook, and Kearney.
The competition has been stiff, so the Bulldogs have had to withstand a hurricane of solid squads throughout the year.
Senior Jaycee Burke is ready to lead her Lady Dawgs into war against Lincoln Pius X on Thursday. Tough competition throughout the years has motivated her and her team to play up to the competition. "Competing with those teams since I have been a freshman and going at them, year after year, wanting to be in that fight and not giving up."
For senior Liv Lyons and junior Allie Thramer, it's been about enjoying one another and embracing the team as family.
"This group of girls is very special to our team," Said Thramer. "We're all friends here, and I feel like that makes us play so much better," Lyons stated.
Thramer and Lyons have both eclipsed some major milestones. Allie Thramer recently reached 1,000 career assists. While Liv Lyons surpassed the career 500-kill mark. While Thramer and Lyons have been key contributors, Jaycee Burke, Jaicee Fox, and Kennidee Lemmer have impressed as well.
Burke, who surpassed 500 kills last season as a junior, has been an all around asset for the Dawgs this season totalling 189 kills, 137 digs, and 17 aces.
Kennidee Lemmer, a senior setter, brings a hammer of an arm to each set with 221 kills this year along with 23 aces. Lemmer is ready for the challenge. "We're very excited. We're going to get out there and hustle." Said Lemmer. Jaicee Fox, who has been a stone wall up front all year for the Dawgs, continues to do her thing. She's totalled 63 blocks throughout her senior season and has been a key contributor to the Dawgs' defense.
North Platte, the four-seed, comes into districts with a strong offense and will look to knock off the number one seed and extend their season into Saturday.
Head Coach Shelby Welsh has her squad ready for the challenge on Thursday in Lincoln. Her squad was without Jaycee Burke and Finley Cauffman during the first match between North Platte and Pius. The Dawgs fell 2-0 but were very competitive, forcing Pius to score 30 points in the first set to get the win. Pius won the second set by 9, but the Bulldogs still competed. Now, the Dawgs have their full lineup and are ready to redeem themselves.
The only thing left to do now? Take care of business on the court.