Zach Keith plans to challenge a lineup with equal parts experience and unknown commodities.
And not just in terms of a top-notch schedule. Platte County’s veteran coach wants to find a way to pull every ounce of potential from this year’s team and hopefully make some history in the process. The Pirates will lean senior returning state qualifiers Addy Mayne and Olivia Holbrook and junior Maggie McBratney to lead the way, even if the path includes obstacles.
Platte County senior Olivia Holbrook hits a shot during a match last season at Platte County High School.
“Our team motto is unafraid,” Keith said. “We have to be unafraid to win, unafraid to lose, and unafraid to take risks. That might mean trying different tactics and drills to make us better in the long run even though we may not experience as much success in the short run. That might also mean not being afraid to be vulnerable and really investing in this team.”
Platte County returns exactly half the starters and three of seven to receive significant varsity experience in a 10-7 season that again frustratingly ended in the Class 2 District 8 championships match. St. Pius X overcame a deficit out of doubles to defeat the Pirates 5-2.
In addition, Platte County went 4-1 in an inaugural Suburban Conference White Division campaign with the lone loss to Grain Valley, which went on to finish third at state in Class 2. The Pirates started 4-6 then rattled off six straight wins before the loss to St. Pius X to conclude the season.
From there, the season continued for Mayne and Holbrook on separate doubles teams that qualified for the Class 2 Missouri State Tennis Championships. Mayne teamed with graduated senior Cosette Stephenson to win the District 8 title over Holbrook and graduated senior Ellie Fish. Stephenson (No. 4), Fish (No. 5) and Madelyn McFall (No. 6) were the senior trio at the back half of the lineup that now must be replaced.
Mayne moves from No. 3 to No. 1 this year, while Holbrook moves from No. 2 to No. 3, showing the depth of the almost interchangeable top three.
Platte County junior Maggie McBratney hits a backhand during a match last season at Platte County High School.
McBratney played No. 1 singles and doubles last season but went singles for Class 2 District 8 play. She should again anchor the lineup with Mayne and Holbrook battling for the No. 2 spot. The openings increased when junior Emmalyn Burnett, who split time with McFall at No. 6 for most of 2022 opted not to return to the roster.
Keith said seniors Lucy McClain and Delaney Bachmann and junior Lily Fish bring junior varsity experience and will compete for top six spots along with Summer Jenni, who recently moved back to Platte City and brings prior tennis experience.
“We have our top three players back from last year, so I’d be foolish not to have high expectations,” Keith said. “Addy Mayne will be playing No. 1, and she has been playing great tennis and has developed into a college-level prospect. She’s worked extremely hard in the offseason and is poised for a great season. Maggie McBratney has the typical McBratney work ethic, and she’s already shown that she’s improved from last year. Watching her and Addy smack the ball around has shown me that they are both ready to have much better seasons than last year playing in the top two singles spots. Olivia Holbrook will be playing No. 3 this season. She’s just so tough to beat because she makes very few mistakes and she’s sneaky fast on the court. She has great instincts, which also makes her tough in doubles as well.”
How the postseason lines up for the retooled top six remains to be seen.
Platte County’s two state qualifying doubles teams were the second and third in program history. Both went 0-2 in their state debuts, same as the district runnerup team of Lisa Wyrwinski and Rachel Bumstead back in 2009 as the first individual state qualifier — doubles or singles — in 2009. The Pirates have only four individual state entrants with Molly McBratney the lone singles qualifier (2020).
Even despite the difficult end to last season, Platte County continued to make strides and remain a consistent contender. The Pirates were deep and earned the top seed in Class 2 District 8, and St. Pius X and Grain Valley ended up meeting in the Class 2 third-place match at state.
Platte County can chase the first district title in program history this year along with more state berths and possibly the first win at the state tournament.
“We have to provide positive energy for one another on the court and continue to develop as a team,” Keith said. “When we’re all supporting one another and pushing one another to be better, we can be very very good.”
