PLATTE CITY – Despite losing four of the six players from the best tennis lineup in school history, Platte County has high aspirations to keep the record-breaking play continue.
Platte County senior Gavin Nichols has implemented himself as the best player the program has seen with three state singles appearances.
Platte County brought home its first district title in program history in 2023, reaching the quarterfinals and coming up short 5-3 to the eventual Class 2 State Runner-Up Helias Catholic. Senior Gavin Nichols and junior Jack Bralley not only led the Pirates to their deepest postseason run as a team ever and a conference title, but they were also two of the five that made it to the state singles and doubles tournaments.
“We graduated four of our top six players last year, so I think there is a perception that we’ll struggle a bit this year, but our guys have been working hard to make sure they maintain a high level,” Platte County head tennis coach Zach Keith said. “We should have a really strong team ready to compete for conference and district championships.”
Nichols is a three-time singles state qualifier, making an appearance on the largest stage an anomaly in his lucrative high school career. He has finished in the top-8 at state singles twice, which includes a sixth-place finish to wrap up his junior campaign.
Bralley was the No. 4 last year en route to a state doubles berth with former teammate Jaron Cook. Platte County’s 2023 seniors are going to be tough to replace but some new faces are up to the challenge.
“We graduated multiple college-level tennis players, so I’m not sure that our team is as talented overall, but we have the potential to be just as good. We’ll score our points in different ways, but we should be very good,” Keith said.
Seniors Aaron Vaughan and Daniel Bunge will be alongside juniors Hayden Cook and Paul Havemeier that fill in behind Nichols and Bralley. The order has yet to be set, but all four have promise to build off a record-setting 15-win season.
“We have to continue to improve every day. I know that sounds cliche, but when you have as much potential as we have, we’ve got to push the guys daily to reach that potential,” Keith said.