Another historic season ended with motivation for pursuing more in the future.
Platte County’s first-ever playoff appearance resulted in a 5-0 loss to Thomas Jefferson Independent in a Class 2 quarterfinal Monday in Joplin. Two days later, the Pirates’ senior doubles duos of Addy Mayne/Olivia Holbrook and Delaney Bachmann/Lucy McClain both went 0-2 in the Class 2 MSHSAA State Tennis Championships at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.
Yet, Platte County continued a program’s progression in 2023. The Class 2 District 8 team title marked a breakthrough, and the Pirates sent two doubles teams to state for the second year in a row. The Pirates’ next milestones will now be winning a playoff dual while the first individual win at state — singles or doubles — remained tantalizingly out of reach.
“I know the girls wanted to get over the hump and get at least one win this season,” Platte County coach Zach Keith said. “I know they were all disappointed we weren’t able to accomplish that. That being said, if you get a tough draw at the state tournament, you can play some really good tennis and still not win.”
After winning the first district title in program history, Platte County completed a long road trip that included a disappointing results.
Thomas Jefferson Independent (14-0) swept the doubles portion and then earned the first two singles wins to earn a state semifinal berth. The Pirates (13-9) advanced into the quarterfinal matchup off of a dramatic 5-4 victory over St. Pius X in the District 8 championship dual, just the third appearance in a final in the 14 years of the state’s current postseason format. They lost in 2002 and 2016.
The loss marked the end of the season for Platte County’s two juniors — No. 2 Maggie McBratney and No. 4 Lily Fish. The results were still encouraging for the Pirates, who were forced to adjust the lineup early in the season after junior No. 4 Summer Jenni suffered a season-ending knee injury in a dual with Staley.
Platte County’s season did continue for the four seniors.
On Thursday morning, both Mayne/Holbrook and Bachmann/McClain were swept 6-0, 6-0 in first round matches, but both doubles teams played better in the consolation bracket. Mayne and Holbrook lost 6-4, 6-2 to Vita Galati and Suna Mungee of Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau), while Bachmann and McClain bowed out with a 6-1, 6-2 loss to Chloe Kronlage and Brooke Madden of St. Pius X (Festus).
The first-round losses for Platte County came to the eventual champions and seventh-place teams.
“When I think about the journey that these four girls have been on since their freshman year, it’s incredible to think how much they’ve developed on the court in that time. I think when a little time has passed, they will be able to look at this state tournament as being icing on the cake for four individual careers that started on the C team, then the JV and then varsity team.
“I am really proud of them.”
Mayne and Holbrook became the first two-time individual qualifiers for state in program history, although they went as part of separate teams in 2022 before forming the Pirates’ No. 1 team as seniors. Mayne moved up to the No. 1 singles spot, as well, while Holbrook completed an experienced top half of the lineup at No. 3.
Prior to last fall, only one Platte County doubles team had advanced to state, and Mayne is now the first two-time doubles district champion in program history. She won the District 8 title with Cosette Stephenson in 2022 with a victory over Holbrook and Ellie Fish. Stephenson and Ellie Fish were two of the four seniors in last year’s lineup. All five of the Pirates’ state doubles teams have gone 0-2.
Bachmann opened 2022 in Platte County’s No. 6 singles spot but moved up after Jenni’s injury, and McClain went from doubles-only to a two-way contributor. The Pirates’ No. 3 doubles team made an upset run to the District 8 championship match to earn their state bid.
Platte County’s singles state qualifiers remains at one with Molly McBratney still the lone district finalist. She also went 0-2 in the 2020 Class 2 bracket.
