Cavaliers turn tables in doubles matches at Pierre tourney

PIERRE – Aberdeen Roncalli came out determined on Friday and exacted a measure of revenge during the doubles portion of the Pierre Invitational tennis tournament.

The Cavaliers were able to get a little pay back for matches lost on Thursday on their way to earning places on Friday.

“That was definitely the highlight for me,” said Roncalli coach JD Carrels, noting that some of the players were disappointed with their play on Thursday. “They were pretty upset at their loss (Thursday) and so they were really hoping to get a matchup today against those teams and a couple of them were lucky enough to have that and came out on top.”

Carrels said the players were highly motivated and it showed.

“I would say it was 100 percent focus,” Carrels said. “They were definitely more mentally prepared and they were more into the match.”

The doubles play was led by the flight two tandem of Cason Hellwig and Palmer Johnson who finished third in the tourney.

Carrels said he noticed improved play from all the doubles teams.

“It seemed like from 1, 2, 3 they’re really starting to click and play well together,” Carrels said. “There’s a lot better communication, both during and after points, which is great to see.”

Not only that, but the Cavaliers are also taking better control of the points.

“I’m definitely seeing a lot more aggression coming to the net and finishing points,” Carrels said.

The singles play was led by Mason Carrels who finished third at flight three. Palmer Johnson was fourth at flight four and Landon Zikmund was fourth at flight five.

The Cavaliers are scheduled to face Lennox and Milbank Area Monday in Milbank, weather permitting.

Singles

First Flight

SAWYER HENRICH: lost to Noah Greni, Rapid City Christian, 6-1, 6-1; lost to Ty Seiber, Spearfish, 8-4;

CASON HELLWIG: lost to Andrew Daugherty, Lennox, 6-2, 4-6, (10-7); def. Spencer Reverts, Madison, 8-1; Hellwig def. Ruby Isburg, Spearfish, 8-2. FIFTH PLACE.

MASON CARRELS: def. Bridger Meyer, Spearfish, 6-3, 3-6, (10-4); lost to Andrew Dobbs, Rapid City Christian, 6-1, 6-3; def. Cade Minnaert, Madison, 8-1. THIRD PLACE.

PALMER JOHNSON: def. Lucas Rodgers, Spearfish, 6-3, 6-1; lost to Jack Hancock, Rapid City Christian, 6-3, 7-5; lost to Grant Santema, Sioux Falls Christian. FOURTH PLACE.

LANDON ZIKMUND: def. Will Snaza, Milbank Area, 6-3, 6-2; lost to Geyer, Rapid City Christian, 6-1, 6-2; lost to James Woodward, Sioux Falls Christian, 8-5. FOURTH PLACE.

GANNON MAY: lost to Jack Squier, Sioux Falls Christian, 6-2, 4-6, (10-6); lost to Eli Plank, Lennox, 8-6 (18-16).

Doubles

First Flight

DANIEL GAMBOA-MASON CARRELS: lost to Jaxon Plank-Andrew Daughtery, Lennox, 6-3, 6-1; def. Bennet Street-Joe Schulte, Milbank Area, 8-5; lost Mason Kennington-Spencer Reverts, Madison, 8-4. SIXTH PLACE.

Second Flight

CASON HELLWIG-PALMER JOHSON: def. Ty Sieber-Rudy Isburg, Spearfish, 6-4 6-4; lost to Andrew Dobbs-Jack Hancock, Rapid City Christian, 6-2, 6-3; def. Sioux Falls Christian, 8-6. THIRD PLACE.

Third Flight

LANDON ZIKMUND-GANNON MAY: lost to James Woodward-Aiden Lightenberg, Sioux Falls Christian, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2); def. Leo-Isburg-Shaun Cota, Spearfish, 8-4; def Devin Dodson-Crew Heier, Pierre, 8-6. FIFTH PLACE.