Aberdeen Roncalli got an up close look at one of the elite tennis teams in the state Thursday in a 9-0 setback to Rapid City Stevens in the Cavaliers’ home opener at the Northern State courts.

“They are probably one of the top two, if not the top team in the state, so we knew we’d definitely have our hands full,” said Roncalli coach JD Carrels. “We came out confident, but when you’re playing a good team like that, it’s just kind of hard. You just have to go for your shots the best you can.”

Carrels said it’s evident that the Raiders put a lot of time in on the courts.

“When you’re playing a team that has that much experience, you can see that they definitely play tennis year around,” he said. “It definitely shows in their ability.”

While the Cavaliers did not win a set on the day, Carrels said many matches were closer than the final score indicated.

The closest match occured at number six singles where Palmer Johnson lost 6-3, 6-3.

“One that I was very impressed with how he played, again just like in Huron, was Palmer Johnson. He had a battle,” Carrels said. “I think almost every game went to deuce, so it could have very easily went his way. They were playing a lot of good points. It was definitely a battle. He played great and stuck to his game. I was super happy with how he played.”

The Cavaliers will be right back in action today. Roncalli plays Rapid City Central at 1 p.m., followed by a cross-town matchup with Aberdeen Central at around 4 p.m. It will mark the only dual between the Aberdeen squads this spring.

“It will definitely be a battle. The kids from Roncalli have definitely been talking to the kids from Central,” Carrels said. “The match is going to start around 4 maybe closer to 4:30. It will good for parents and fans to come out after work, so I think we’re going to have a lot of people here which always makes it a little more fun for the kids.”

SINGLES

Jamison Pfingston, RCS, def. Gray Imbery, 6-1, 6-1.

Michael Tang, RCS, def. Cason Hellwig, 6-0, 6-0.

Nolan Rehorst, RCS, def. Gannon May, 6-1, 6-0.

Asa Hood, RCS, def. Mason Carrels, 6-1, 6-1.

Thomas Postma, RCS, def. AJ Prehn, 6-1, 6-2.

Conor Cruse, RCS, def. Palmer Johnson, 6-3, 6-3.

DOUBLES

Pfingston-Tang, RCS, def. Imbery-Carrels, 6-1, 6-2.

Hood-Cruse, RCS, def. Hellwig-Johnson, 6-1, 6-4.

Postma-Christian Mueller, RCS, def. Prehn-May, 6-1, 6-0.