The bid for Platte County’s girls tennis team to repeat their conference championship is off to an ideal start after a pair of early conference victories.
The defending Greater KC White Division champions opened the new campaign with a clean 9-0 sweep of William Chrisman to begin September before taking out Grain Valley 7-2 on Sept. 10. The Pirates, now 2-0 in conference play, have won nine consecutive conference matches over the past two years.
The triumph over Grain Valley was especially critical, as it was just the program’s third recorded win over the Eagles and the first decisive victory. The win gave Platte County an early foothold in its conference title hopes, with Grain Valley winning the previous four conference titles before last season.
Senior Ellie Kaser led Platte County to a 7-2 win over Grain Valley, teaming up with Macie Keith for a No. 1 doubles win before winning her No. 1 singles match.
The Pirates got rolling early on with a doubles sweep. After a close start, Ellie Kaser and Macie Keith created some separation to take the No. 1 doubles duel 8-5. Clare Hayter and Macy Doll rose victorious at No. 2 doubles while Katelyn Newberry and Jayne Muir won at No. 3 doubles, both by scores of 8-3.
Taking a 3-0 lead into singles, Kaser had no issues at No. 1 singles as she won 8-2. Despite losing the opening game, Hayter bounced back well to ease to an 8-4 win at No. 4 singles.
The Pirates added insurance as Muir contributed an 8-4 victory at No. 6 singles while Newberry, who saw a three-game lead evaporate to one, responded well to close out an 8-5 victory at No. 4 singles. Grain Valley’s wins came at No. 2 and No. 5 singles, respectively, where 8-4 scores defeated Keith and Doll.
Platte County previously opened conference play with a 9-0 sweep of William Chrisman on Sept. 1.
Kaser/Keith and Hayter/Doll had the most decisive doubles victories at 8-1 each, while Newberry/Muir’s victory secured the doubles sweep with an 8-2 win. The singles trio of Kaser,
Keith and Doll quickly extinguished their respective opponents with 8-1 scores, followed by an 8-2 win for Newberry, an 8-3 win for Hayter and an 8-4 win for Muir.
The Pirates returned to the Warrensburg Doubles Tournament on Sept. 11 and represented well, sweeping the tournament by winning all four divisions.
Junior Jayne Muir impressed for Platte County, winning both matches against Grain Valley before teaming up with Katelyn Newberry to win the No. 3 division at the Warrensburg Doubles Tournament.
Kaser/Keith took first at No. 1 doubles, followed by Hayter/Doll at No. 2 doubles. Newberry/Muir won No. 3 doubles while senior Addison Fleming and freshman Shaylin Keith took first at No. 4 doubles as the Pirates went a perfect 12-0 on the day.
Platte County’s remaining schedule includes four conference matches. If they win out, they will save themselves from any other tiebreak worries to confirm their second consecutive conference title while stretching their conference winning streak to 13 straight matches.
After four more duals this week, including a conference match with Raytown on Sept. 15, Platte County will compete in the Liberty Invitational on Sept. 18.