The schedule finally eased up this week, and first-year coach Scott Blakley used the opportunity to continue seeking out more success in the doubles portion of duals.
Platte County sophomore Katelyn Newberry hits a return shot during a doubles match in a dual with William Chrisman on Tuesday at Platte County High School.
Platte County looked strong top to bottom in Tuesday’s 9-0 shutout of William Chrisman at Platte County High School with newly installed tandems at the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. The Pirates used seven players with junior Addison Fleming playing singles only before going even deeper into the roster in Wednesday’s dominant 8-0 victory at home against Ruskin.
Those conference victories pushed Platte County’s winning streak to three, all in White Division play after an 0-2 start to the season.
“If we continue to play well, I like our chances in conference. A lot of work still to do,” Blakley said. “We’ve definitely improved and gotten better. The team is really starting to come together it feels like. I’m excited for the growth of this team in just one week of play.”
Against William Chrisman, Platte County continued to team junior Ellie Kaser and sophomore Macie Keith at No. 1 doubles with the top two singles players producing a quick 8-2 win. The Pirates then took a 3-0 lead with juniors Lillian Goodale and Macy Doll (8-2) at No. 2 (8-2) and junior Jayne Muir and sophomore Katelyn Newberry (8-3) at No. 3. Those combinations were used in last weekend’s Warrensburg Invitational and now have a chance to be more permanent moving forward.
Platte County junior Macy Doll reaches to hit a return shot during a doubles match in a dual with William Chrisman on Tuesday at Platte County High School.
Kaser, Keith, Goodale and Doll have all returned to the lineup for Platte County but in bigger roles. Last year, Doll mainly played doubles while Goodale ended up singles only by the end of the season. The Pirates have now moved Kaser up to No. 1 after she debuted at No. 2 as a sophomore, while Keith advanced from No. 4 to the No. 2 spot.
Platte County’s sweep of singles against William Chrisman dominant wins for Kaser (8-1), Keith (8-2), Fleming (8-1 at No. 3), Muir (8-1 at No. 5) and Doll (8-2 at No. 6). Goodale held on for an 8-6 victory at No. 4.
“Told them we were going to have to fight really hard to win the match, and the girls came out and dominated doubles, really took it to them in doubles,” Blakley said. “The girls all played really well in singles. Really proud of the girls.”
Platte County didn’t have all good news during the week. Against Ruskin, Blakley mixed up some of the looks with Keith and Fleming scoring an 8-2 victory at No. 1 doubles, and Kaser and Doll (No. 2) and Muir and Newberry (No. 3) ending up with 8-2 shoutouts. The Pirates then bumped Fleming to No. 1 only to have her suffer a dislocated kneecap while leading 5-2 and nearing match point in matches shortened to one set played to six.
The injury likely sidelines Fleming for multiple weeks and possibly the season, and the match went down as a DNF.
Platte County sophomore Jayne Muir hits a return shot during a doubles match in a dual with William Chrisman on Tuesday at Platte County High School.
Platte County’s remaining singles players against Ruskin were freshman Clare Hayter (6-1 at No. 2), junior Ainsley Scheib (6-1 at No. 3), sophomore Halley Jenni (6-1 at No. 4), junior Veyda Chleborad (6-1 at No. 5) and sophomore Addy Loess (6-0 at No. 6). Only Hayter had played any varsity this season, while Chleborad saw limited time as a sophomore.
“(Addison’s injury) was really unfortunate, but we are hopeful that other girls will step up,” Blakley said. “That was definitely a devastating blow in a dual we won fairly easily.
Liberty Invitational
Platte County went 0-3 against three strong Class 3 programs in Friday’s dual tournament at Clayview Country Club in Kansas City. Due to Fleming’s injury, the Pirates again adjusted the lineup on the fly in difficult circumstances.
Liberty earned a 9-0 shutout in the morning with the best shot for an upset coming at No. 3 doubles. Muir and Newberry had three game points while trailing 4-3 with a chance to change the match but couldn’t hold on and lost 6-3 in the shortened format.
Platte County junior Lillian Goodale hits a forehand during a doubles match in a dual with William Chrisman on Tuesday at Platte County High School.
“We played pretty well, and we held our ground,” Blakley said. “I think all the girls would agree that our tennis was good tennis. They just had the right shots to beat us.”
Platte County took No. 1 doubles in the next matchup with Kickapoo but ended up with a 6-3 loss. Kaser and Keith’s 6-3 victory provided some momentum, but the only singles wins came from Kaser at No. 1 and Doll at No. 5. Hayter played No. 6 singles in all three duals and lost 7-5 in her match against the Chiefs.
After an already difficult day, Platte County created opportunity early and late but lost 5-4 to Central (St. Joseph) in an extremely competitive dual. Kaser and Keith (No. 1) and Muir and Newberry (No. 3) both won by 6-4 scores to give the Pirates a lead, while Muir’s 6-0 shutout at No. 4 put a victory within reach.
Kaser came back from down 5-2 to win the final five games in a 7-5 victory at No. 1 for Platte County, but Doll lost 7-6 (8-3) in a tiebreaker that determined the final outcome.
“Our lineup is where it should be,” Blakley said. “It’s a great tournament to be a part of and one that definitely makes your team much better regardless of outcome.”
