Aberdeen Roncalli swept doubles play and snagged four of the six singles matches to secure its first team victory of the season Tuesday, taking a 7-2 win over Milbank Area at the NSU Courts.

The Cavaliers made a strong play for a complete sweep, but Milbank’s Hope Karels pulled out a third-set tiebreaker over Katherine Kretchman at first flight singles, while Jenna Korstjens was a 6-4, 6-1 winner at fifth-flight singles.

“I just told the girls to just play their game,” said Roncalli coach Jason Haskell. “I never want to step back and play an opponent’s game. Just focus on what (we’re) doing and stay focused.”

That game plan worked, as River Haskell, Raley Haskell, Anna Mitzel and Josie Mitzel each picked up singles wins.

Roncalli then swept through doubles play with decisive victories.

“We weren’t afraid to go for some shots,” Coach Haskell said. “We stayed in some rallies when we needed to and when shots presented themselves, we weren’t afraid to go for it. Sometimes we made a mistake on them, but we’re learning. I like that aggressive mindset and not being afraid to go for some winners here and there.”

For Kretchman, that aggressiveness didn’t necessarily translate into a singles win, but she was able to bounce back for doubles play with partner River Haskell.

“For the most part, I played confident in my swings,” Kretchman said. “I wasn’t tightening up as much, so (the ball) was staying in a lot better.”

River Haskell echoed much the same sentiment, noting that her pace of play was also an improvement.

“It was quicker,” she said. “It was fast. I was kind of nervous (coming into the match), but I just wanted to have fun.”

Roncalli will take the weekend off before returning to action Sept. 6 at Pierre.

Singles

Hope Karels (MIL) def. Katherine Kretchman, 6-0, 5-7, 10-4. 

River Haskell (AR) def. Elsie Seffrood, 6-0, 6-1.

Raley Haskell (AR) def. Amelia Pederson, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5).

Anna Mitzel (AR) def. Ashlynn Lamp, 2-6, 6-4, 10-4. 

Jenna Korstjens (MIL) def. Kiera Rivett, 6-4, 6-1.

Josie Mitzel (AR) def. Caitlyn Frerichs, 6-3, 6-0.

Doubles

Kretchman/River Haskell (AR) def. Karels-Seffrood, 6-2, 6-2.

Raley Haskell/A. Mitzel (AR) def. Pederson-Lamp, 6-2, 6-3.

Rivett/J. Mitzel (AR) def. Korstjens-Frerichs, 6-1, 6-3.