​Cassidy, Compton lead Eagles to 9-0 win over Blue Springs

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News


It has been a year since the senior duo of John Cassidy and Trace Compton played doubles together.

They were partners during their sophomore campaign but were split into different double teams in 2024.
In 2025, they are reunited and had an impressive showing in Thursday’s match with Blue Springs. They only surrendered points three times in their pro eight doubles match against Jon Lin and Braylon Ault.

Cassidy and Compton dominated the No. 1 doubles contest 8-0 and each of them also won their respective singles matches to help the Eagles cruise to a 9-0 victory over the Wildcats at Baumgardner Park in Blue Springs.

“We kept the ball at play and every time they gave us a shot, we took it,” Cassidy said.

Added Compton: “At the net, we played one of our best matches so far.”

Playing with each other in doubles for the first time in two years came with an adjustment period, but they are starting to recapture the chemistry they had in 2023.

“We got off to a slow start,” Cassidy said. “It had been two years since we played with each other. But it has really been picking up the last two games.”

Compton was down 6-3 in his No. 1 singles match with Lin before he came storming back for an 8-6 victory. To make a comeback, it all came down to having the right mindset, Compton said.

“I was trying not to think about the score and focus on one point at a time,” Compton said. “I was moving him around more on both sides with my forehand and backhand. I tried to not give him a ball he could hit hard.”

Cassidy had a little easier time than Compton in his singles match. At No. 2, Cassidy took an 8-3 win over Miru Lee.

“At first, I didn’t take the match as seriously as I should have,” Cassidy said. “After four games, I really turned it up. I took every ball he gave me and put it away.”

Veteran head coach Randy Draper said he liked what he saw from Cassidy and Compton.

“They have been playing really good doubles lately,” Draper said. “They both got singles wins they needed. Compton had to pull one out of the fire. Our team has really been playing well. I like where we are headed.”

Grain Valley’s No. 2 doubles team of juniors Riley Spencer and Marius Cooper defeated Lee and Lleyton Marriott 8-1. The No. 3 pair of senior Aiden Wilson and sophomore Andrew Drinkwater earned an 8-2 victory over Zayden Pha and Will Lynch.

In singles play, Spencer won 8-2 at No. 3, Cooper cruised to an 8-0 victory at No. 4, Wilson edged Pha 8-6 at No. 5 and Drinkwater coasted to a No. 8-2 win over Lynch.

​“Marius is getting better every time we play,” Draper said. “He and Spencer have made a really good No. 2 doubles team. They have been a tough out.”

Seniors John Cassidy, left, and Trace Compton won their No. 1 doubles match 8-0 and also won their respective singles matches to help the Grain Valley boys tennis team take a 9-0 win over Blue Springs Thursday at Baumgardner Park. Photo credit: Michael Smith
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