Jayne Muir already earned the confidence then backed up the stature.
Platte County sophomore Jayne Muir hits a return shot during a singles match Tuesday during a dual with Park Hill South at Platte County High School.
In another notable scenario, Platte County’s junior No. 4 singles player came up with the clincher in a 6-3 victory over Park Hill South on Tuesday at Platte County High School. The Pirates earned a sweep of doubles against a historically strong Class 3 program but saw the dual lead dwindle to one with just two matches left on the courts.
Muir delivered a decisive 8-2 victory over Park Hill South senior Presley Davis. The win came just after Muir’s singles win gave Platte County a 5-4 victory over Grain Valley in a dual that likely decided the Suburban Conference White Division title.
“A lot of confidence because I don’t know (if I could do it),” said Platte County junior No. 1 Ellie Kaser, who gave the Pirates a 4-0 lead before Park Hill South won matches at Nos. 2, 3 and 6 to close the gap. “I would be super nervous so it’s insane she’s first-year varsity.”
Continuing to see success with a lineup shuffle, Kaser and sophomore Macie Keith were 8-3 winners at No. 1 doubles, while juniors Lillian Goodale and Macy Doll continued their momentum as the No. 2 team with an 8-5 victory. Muir and sophomore Katelyn Newberry, currently not playing varsity singles, also wont 8-4 at No. 3.
However, Park Hill South started a rally despite Kaser’s 8-0 shutout of junior Catherine Supinski in the No. 1 match. The Pirates were still up 4-3 and ended up with a split of the singles matches with Doll closing the dual by recording an 8-4 victory over senior Renae Masson at No. 5 in the program’s first-ever win over the Panthers.
Platte County junior Macy Doll hits an overhead shot in a singles match Tuesday during a dual with Park Hill South at Platte County High School.
“I think our bond and supporting each other has really helped us get through the close matches,” Kaser said.
Platte County closed the week with 9-0 shutouts of Fort Osage and Kearney to improve to 8-6 on the season. The Pirates now take a four-match winning streak into a final busy week before starting Class 2 District 8 play.
Finishing as runnerup last season, Platte County rebuilt this year’s roster with Kaser, Keith (No. 2), Goodale (No. 3) and Doll (No. 4) back from last year’s postseason roster. However, Goodale played only singles and Doll only doubles while helping the Pirates to the district championship dual, which ended with a loss to St. Pius X.
Kaser moved up from No. 2 to the top spot, while Keith made a big jump to help replace four seniors. Platte County’s lineup received an additional blow when junior Addison Fleming, who occupied the No. 3 singles spot, went down with a dislocated knee cap during a dual win over Ruskin that could end her season. The Pirates had already shifted her out of doubles with Newberry quickly finding success, while Goodale, Muir and Doll all jumped up one spot and freshman Clare Hayter became the No. 6 singles player.
“I think Lillian and Macy have made a great doubles team,” Kaser said. “It’s been different but it’s been good, and I think Addison come back better than ever.”
Platte County junior Lillian Goodale hits a shot in a singles match Tuesday during a dual with Park Hill South at Platte County High School.
Platte County 9, Fort Osage 0
The Pirates moved closer to locking up the outright conference crown with Wednesday’s dual win in Independence.
Platte County dropped just two games in a doubles sweep — both in the 8-2 win for Goodale/Doll at No. 2. Kaser, Goodale and Muir all recorded shutouts in singles, while Keith, Doll and Hayter lost just five games total in their three matches.
With the win, Platte County improved to 6-0 in White Division play and only needs to navigate a home dual with Rayton on Wednesday to take the conference title outright.
“We imposed our will. We looked like the dominant team,” Platte County coach Scott Blakley said. “We took care of business.”
Platte County 9, Kearney 0
The Pirates officially locked up the No. 2 seed for Class 2 District 8 play with the road win at Kearney on Thursday afternoon.
The doubles sweep included a tight 8-6 victory for Muir and Newberry at No. 3, and Platte County then dominated all six singles matches. Kaser, Doll and Hayter all won with shutouts, while Keith, Goodale and Muir lost only five total games.
Muir and Newberry led 6-1 in the closest match before losing five straight and then recovering late for the win.
Platte County lost to St. Pius X in late September in the rematch of last year’s district championship dual. The individual tournament will be Friday at Platte County High School with the team bracket to start next week.
“Good win over Kearney,” Blakley said. “We feel good about where we’re at as a team.”
Platte County opens with seventh-seeded Lincoln Prep (4-10) on Monday, October 13. The winner faces either No. 3 Winnetonka (7-3) or No. 6 William Chrisman (5-4) in the semifinals, and No. 1 St. Pius X (11-1) will be the favorite to host the championship dual.
The only district title for Platte County in program history came in 2023.
