Facing off against a new opponent, Platte County earned a big 6-3 win.
The Pirates opened the season Monday, Aug. 22 in Lee’s Summit, Mo. with their first ever meeting with Lee’s Summit — a member of the Suburban Conference’s largest tier. Platte County, which plays in the smallest division, were down 2-1 after doubles with senior Madalyn Ivy and sophomore Hannah Valentine the lone winners, taking the No. 2 match.
Platte County’s experienced roster forged the comeback with a near flawless performance in singles.
Ivy scored the first victory at No. 4, while Mikayla Landers made her varsity singles debut with a 10-4 victory at No. 6 to put the Pirates in front at 3-2. Rachel Valentine, Hannah Valentine and Stephanie Laures were all victorious at the top three spots to cap the comeback effort, including a tight 10-8 win for Laures at No. 3.
Platte County returned four of its top six from last year in addition to Laderoute, a big contributor in doubles during a 14-3 campaign last fall. The Pirates were scheduled to open Suburban Conference Blue Division play Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Grandview, but the result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.
Park Hill 9, Kearney 0
Kansas Dreps debuted at the No. 1 spot for the Trojans in their season-opener Monday, Aug. 22 at Barry Park in Kansas City, Mo.
Starting with Dreps’ 10-8 win against Jennifer Cates, Park Hill put in a dominating singles effort. Ruth Francis, Sushma Gandham, Camille Laude, Lauren Steckelberg and Lily Cota combined to lose just 10 games total in the sweep.
Francis, Gandham and Laude occupied the Nos. 2-4 spots and were the players with the most returning experience.
The doubles matches were closer with Gandham and Cota winning 10-6 at No. 3 and Francis and Chloe Kuebler prevailing 8-5 at No. 3. Dreps and Laude were the other doubles team, 8-3 winners at No. 1.
Park Hill was scheduled to open Suburban Conference Gold Division play Tuesday, Aug. 23 against Blue Springs, but the result was not available at The Citizen’s deadline.