Finally through the most grueling part of a taxing schedule, Platte County celebrated an impressive group of 16 seniors during the first of three wins this week.
Platte County senior Olivia Holbrook hits a shot during a match in a dual with Belton on Thursday at Platte County High School.
Nine of those players factored into a 9-0 shutout of Raytown on Monday at Platte County High School. The Pirates were in position to reward many players for hard work throughout the season in what ultimately became the first true reprieve in 17 duals this season.
“Senior night was really fun and a great way to honor our seniors,” Platte County coach Zach Keith said.
Platte County (10-7) played seniors Addy Mayne and Olivia Holbrook in the top two singles spots, not much out of the norm for the the two returning Class 2 Missouri State Tennis Championships doubles qualifiers. Holbrook moved up one spot, and both were easy winners.
However, the rest of the lineup looks much different.
Platte County seniors Ava Healy (No. 3), Alaeyah Chleborad (No. 4) and Olivia Harms (No. 5) all made victorious varsity debuts, while freshman Ellie Kaser played at No. 6. The Pirates’ sweep of singles came after taking all three doubles matchups, as well, with seniors Lucy McClain and Delaney Bachmann — also two of the regular top six — at No. 2. All starters received match with juniors Lily Fish and Maggie McBratney playing No. 1 doubles, while seniors Natalie Pryor and Julia Greco combined at No. 3 for a win, as well.
Platte County’s lineup includes three returning starters at the top with McBratney normally at No. 2 sandwiched between the top senior duo of Mayne and Holbrook, who went to state as part of separate teams last year. Fish (No. 4), Bachmann (No. 5) and McClain (No. 6) have become the back half of the regular top six in wake of an injury to junior Summer Jenni.
Platte County junior Maggie McBratney hits a backhand during a match in a dual with Belton on Thursday at Platte County High School.
McClain originally began the season with a focus only on doubles but moved into singles full-time after Jenni went down with a season-ending knee injury during a singles match of a dual with Staley earlier this season.
With four seniors receiving regular playing time, Platte County had a large group of players behind them playing in their final season. This also included Madison Lewis, Leah McKeefery, Addison Sloan, Emerson Perry, Lena Aagard, Kinzey Dulin and Makayla Morris.
Platte County 5, Blue Springs 4
In a quick break from Suburban Conference White Division play, the Pirates narrowly escaped a road test Tuesday at Blue Springs.
Platte County held a 2-1 lead out of doubles behind wins for Mayne and Holbrook at No. 1 and Bachmann and McClain at No. 3. However, Blue Springs came back to earn a split of singles to put the result in doubt. However, Mayne and McBratney in the top two spots plus Bachmann at No. 5 provided the wins needed to hold on.
Platte County 9, Belton 0
Platte County senior Addy Mayne hits a serve during a match in a dual with Belton on Thursday at Platte County High School.
In the third of four conference matchups, Platte County came away with a sweep Thursday at Platte County High School to run the current win streak to three straight.
Platte County played the entire regular lineup and improved to 2-1 in White Division play with the lone loss so far coming to Grain Valley, which will be a heavy favorite against Raytown and Belton this week with a chance to wrap up the team crown. Platte County finishes the regular season with duals vs. North Kansas City on Monday and at William Chrisman on Tuesday. The latter wraps up conference play.
While gaining momentum late, Platte County must also navigate the Northland Invitational on Wednesday after inclement weather postponed the tournament Saturday. In addition, Platte County travels to Kearney on Friday for the Class 2 District 8 individual tournament, looking to build on last year’s momentum when the Pirates put both doubles entrants into the finals to advance two teams to state for the first time in program history.
“We’ve been playing a ton of tennis lately, and it felt like the weekend couldn’t get here soon enough to take a mental and physical break,” Keith said. “The focus this week will be using our matches and practices to get ready for the district tournament. We have several good conversations last week about what a great opportunity we have going into both individual and team districts.”
Platte County will likely hold the No. 1 seed in the Class 2 District 8 team tournament starting next week with the Pirates set to chase the first playoff berth in team history.
