RAPID CITY – It was a memorable season finish for the Aberdeen Central tennis team at the Class AA State Tournament on Friday.
The Golden Eagles had three girls capture third place finishes in singles, another take ninth place and the team worked its way up to sixth place in the team standings.
Not only that, but once the tourney concluded, the Eagles were selected as the Sportsmanship winner of the event, and senior Emily Ringgenberg was chosen to receive the Spirit of Max Award.
“It was a really nice way to the end season,” said Central coach John Vogel.
Rapid City Stevens ended up winning the state team title.
Four of the Central’s six singles players all won their final matches of the season. Ringgenberg was third at first flight singles, Laney Gonsor third at fifth flight, and Avery Tennant third at sixth flight. Alice Vogel was ninth at second flight.
That, along with the results of a couple other matches, allowed Central to finish just ahead of Yankton and Brandon Valley in team points.
“Alice was just in control of her opponents,” Coach Vogel said. “We had Emily get a little a revenge from her ESD setback (by defeating the same opponent for third). Laney played a really great match to get third. We needed Avery against BV to kind of settle that.”
Tennant didn’t realize it, but her victory, along with a couple of other results, moved Central into the sixth place position.
“That was worth six points and we were down by a couple,” Coach Vogel said.
While Central’s other two singles players lost both of their matches, they were right in contention. Carly Comstock lost in a super-tiebreaker in the quarterfinals, and Livia Douglas had a tight match in consolation.
Coach Vogel noted that last year the Eagles ended up with three fourth-place finishes at the state tourney and this year they had three third-place finishes.
The squad will lose a some quality seniors who helped to shape the program into what it has become.
“This group of girls has been special for several years and the program is really going to miss them,” Coach Vogel said, “and I’m glad that they got to end on such a high note.”
To see complete tournament results, click on the following link:
ABERDEEN CENTRAL RESULTS
SINGLES
First Flight
EMILY RINGGENBERG: def. AlastrinaScott, Rapid City Stevens, 7-5, 6-4; lost to Nora Krajewski, Yankton, 6-3, 6-1; def. Jaida Young, Watertown, 10-7. THIRD PLACE.
Second Flight
ALICE VOGEL: def. Emma Raisanen, Rapid City Central, 10-2; def. Erika Starr, Harrisburg, 10-3. NINTH PLACE.
Third Flight
CARLY COMSTOCK: lost to Cecelia Bender, O’Gorman, 4-6, 7-5, (10-8); lost to Leyla Meester, Watertown, 10-5.
Fourth Flight
LIVIA DOUGLAS: lost to Josie Heyn, Watertown, 6-4, 6-1; lost to Madelyn Eiesenbeisz, Harrisburg, 10-6.
Fifth Flight
LANEY GONSOR: def. Faith Berg, Watertown, 6-2, 3-6, (10-6); lost to Julia Hedrick, Sioux Falls Lincoln, 6-3, 6-3; def. Teya Badger, Brandon Valley, 10-7. THIRD PLACE.
Sixth Flight
AVERY TENNANT: def. Sophia Nichols, Watertown, 6-0, 6-1; lost to Ellie Huber, O’Gorman, 6-4, 6-1; def. Emma Derynck, Sioux Falls Lincoln, 10-6. THIRD PLACE.
