The Platte County boys’ tennis team poses with the Class 2 District 8 Championship plaque after winning the first title in program history on May 10.
Knocking on the door of a district title in each of the last two years, third time was the charm for the Platte County boys’ tennis team (15-4) who finally got the job done in a 5-1 win over Grain Valley (9-10-1) in the Class 2 District 8 Championship on May 10.
In the somewhat brief history of the program – which started in the 2009-10 school year – Platte County clinched a spot in the Class 2 State Quarterfinals for the first time ever. The Pirates hit the road, traveling to Jefferson City, to take on Helias Catholic (17-1) on May 15.
There was a slight rain delay, and a rough time for Platte County’s doubles teams when play began. Helias Catholic won two of the three, putting the road team in a tough position.
In order to make it to the Class 2 Final Four, the Pirates had to win three of the final five singles matches. Jack Bralley tied the match after winning his singles match, but Platte County lost its next two and was unable to pull off the upset.
The Pirates’ season ended one match shy of a state appearance, but it was the most historical season in a 14-year history. Platte County had a senior-heavy roster of Jack Forrest, Nathan Vanek, Mason McBratney, and Jaron Cook that put their mark on the program.
Junior Gavin Nichols will return next spring being arguably the best player the program has ever seen. Bralley will also bring back experience after an impressive sophomore campaign.
In the Class 2 District 8 Tournament, Platte County was the No. 1 seed and was able to host both district matches it played in. After a first-round bye, the Pirates had an easy 5-0 victory and eliminated fifth-seeded Lincoln College Prep (13-4) on May 9.
Before this season, Platte County had been in three district championships with two of them occurring in the last two springs. After losing to Grain Valley in a tight one last year – a 5-4 loss – the Pirates avenged that defeat in the postseason rematch.
Platte County took care of business early, winning two of its three doubles matches. Nichols and McBratney won 8-1, while Cook and Bralley came out with an 8-5 victory.
Jack Forrest and Vanek were in a grudge match in the No. 1 doubles match against Ethan Miller and Ben Drinkwater. The Falcons snuck away with a 9-8 (2) win over the Pirates for their only point of the day.
Three of the six singles matches didn’t finish thanks to Cook, Bralley and Vanek winning theirs to decide the match, 5-1. Nichols, Forrest and McBratney were all ahead and in position to pull out singles victories, but Platte County didn’t need it.
While the team’s season has concluded, five of the six players will be competing at state in the singles and doubles tournaments. Nichols will be in singles while the doubles teams of Vanek and Forrest and Cook and Bralley will also be competing on May 18 and 19.