A year after finishing second at state, the Platte County boys tennis team has its sights set on getting back to Springfield for the Final Four in late May.
The path back to Springfield won’t be easy without three-time state medalist Gavin Nichols, who has extended his tennis career into collegiate athletics at Nebraska Wesleyan University. With a group of veterans and newcomers, head coach Zach Keith believes his team still has the opportunity to make a deep run into the postseason.
“We are replacing a back-to-back-to-back-to-back district singles champ and three-time state medalist in Gavin Nichols,” Platte County head coach Zach Keith said. “Our key to success won’t be replacing him at No. 1, but rather rallying as a group to replace his almost-certain two wins per dual.”
The Pirates return their No. 2 and No. 3 tandem from last year in seniors Jack Bralley and Hayden Cook, who partnered in doubles last year for a state medal. Seniors Will Kimlinger and Jake Diano join sophomores Mitchel McBratney and Jacoby Keith as players looking to make a positive impact on the team at the varsity level while freshman Jason Kluck could also be a factor after an impressive first few weeks in practice.
“We have a great combination of seniors with experience and underclassmen with potential,” Keith said.
Keith is in his 17th year coaching the Pirates, assisted by Scott Blakley and Ron Keith. The previous two years were two of the best they’ve had, earning a combined record of 31-8 and winning back-to-back district championships as a team.
The Pirates expect to compete for conference and districts once again, but that is just a starting point to getting back to the Final Four site at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.