RAPID CITY – Aberdeen Central started out its season by facing one of the top Class A tennis teams in the state on Thursday and dropped an 8-1 decision to Rapid City Christian.
“They’re really good. I think they’ll be the favorites in the Class A,” said Central coach Trent Kurtz.
While managing just one victory on the day, Kurtz was pleased with the overall play of the Golden Eagles. It’s just that they couldn’t come up with the crucial points when they needed to.
“I’m happy with how we played. I’m not happy with how we played big points, close points. We just weren’t very good at those,” Kurtz said. “Usually early on in the year the experienced team plays those better. They definitely played them better than us. We were tight and conservative a lot, but a lot of that is our guys haven’t been in those pressure situations before. Their whole squad has.”
Central’s lone win came at number three doubles where Michael Frohling and Jack Riggs scored a 7-5, 6-2 victory.
Playing in their first varsity doubles match together, Kurtz said the two complemented each other well.
“Jack and Michael played really well. They were fun to watch out there. They played with a lot of energy, a lot of excitement,” Kurtz said. “They were kind of getting each other fired up and picking each other up when they made mistakes. Chemistry-wise they were really good. They both played really aggressive, put away a lot of volleys at the net.”
The Golden Eagles were close in several other matches.
Kurtz said Central had four set points at 6-5 in the second set at number one singles before eventually falling in a tiebreaker, and had four game points at 5-5 in the first set at number four singles before dropping that set 7-5.
The closest match came at number two doubles, where Central’s Mitchell Hofer and AJ Prehn split the first two sets in tiebreakers and had two match points in the super breaker before finally succumbing 13-11. Kurtz said the Eagles had match points at 9-7 and 11-10 in the super and served for both points.
“We didn’t get a first serve in on either of them. That’s probably one of our biggest disappointments on the day was our serving,” Kurtz said. “Collectively as as team we just didn’t serve very well, but that’s usually one of the things that will get better as the year goes on.”
Central faces Class AA power Rapid City Stevens and Spearfish today, before wrapping up play on Saturday.
Despite the season opening setback, Kurtz was pleased with the way his players competed against the solid Christian squad.
“I’m really optimistic. I thought we played really well,” Kurtz said. “There’s a lot of potential there.”
Rapid City Christian 8, Aberdeen Central 1
Singles
Noah Greni, RCC, def. Gabe Goetz, 6-4, 7-6 (8-6).
Joe Schneller, RCC, def. Ian Ahlberg, 6-2, 6-4.
Andrew Dobbs, RCC, def. Mitchell Hofer, 6-2, 6-1.
Jack Hancock, RCC, def. AJ Prehn, 7-5, 6-1.
Noah Geyer, RCC, def. Michael Frohling, 6-1, 6-3.
Henry Beckloff, RCC, def. Taye Cundiff, 6-4, 6-2.
Doubles
Greni-Schneller, RCC, def. Goetz-Ahlberg, 6-2, 6-2.
Dobbs-Hancock, RCC, def. Hofer-Prehn, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (7-4), 13-11.
Frohling-Jack Riggs, AC, def. Geyer-Beckloff, 7-5, 6-2.
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