The Platte County girls’ tennis team will be under new, yet familiar, leadership this season as former boys player-turned-assistant coach Scott Blakley takes the helm.
The Platte County alum takes over for longtime head coach Zach Keith and has appointed Kim Schank as an assistant coach. Blakley, who was coached by Keith before returning as an assistant, has coached high school tennis for eight years with previous posts at Leavenworth and St. Joseph Central.
“It will be weird to not see my coach, mentor, and friend Zach Keith at the helm of the Lady Pirates Tennis Team,” Blakley said. “I have been with him for three seasons as a player and five as his assistant, so it will be weird to not have him around, because he is Platte County Tennis to me and every player that has gone through the program.”
As the new era begins for the girls’ program, the expectations remain the same: compete for conference and district titles. Those titles do not come easy, as Blakley has experienced during his time as an assistant coach.
Blakley pointed out St. Pius X and Grain Valley as opponents that have caused the program troubles over recent years. Pius has ended Platte County’s season four of the last five years and he expects another strong season from them while Grain Valley has been a conference power.
Platte County returns three varsity players from last year’s team, but have graduated state medalist and No. 1 Maggie McBratney. Among the returners are last year’s No. 4 and 5 players Macie Keith and Lillian Goodale as well as No. 2 Ellie Kaser, who made it to state last year in doubles.
The rest of the varsity squad will be determined through challenge matches. Juniors Veyda Chleborad and Macy Doll both got time in varsity doubles last season, but spots remain open for this season.
“It’s my first year as head coach, so I am excited to build on the tradition that is Platte County Tennis,” Blakley said. “The girls have really been working hard, and many of them have put in work during the offseason, whether playing in tournaments or taking lessons. They have been fun to coach, and we are ready for match play come September 2.”