A former Aberdeen Central player returned to a familiar surrounding during the Hub City Open Tennis Tournament on Saturday.
Megan Thone of Watertown was busy competing in singles, doubles and mixed doubles on the day at the Northern State Courts. She had spent some time away from the game, but decided to pick up her racquet again.
“I think I just missed playing honestly, the way it felt, the community of tennis, kind of all of it,” Thone said.
As a result, she recently returned to the sport and has been competing in a league on a regular basis and then decided to return for the tournament.
“I joined a summer league in Watertown, actually, and have reconnected with some of the Aberdeen players,” Thone said, “so that was really cool.”
Thone spent hours on the court Saturday, but did not seem to mind the warm elements or the final results.
“Whether it’s a good or bad match, it’s just fun to be out on the court again,” Thone said.
So which of the three is her favorite between singles, doubles and mixed doubles?
“Oooh, that’s a tough one,” Thone said. “I like mixed, just because you get a little taste of the male portion of tennis.”
Thone is one of several players who are competing in three different events in the tourney.
The tournament wraps up with semifinal and championship matches today.
MEN’S DIVISION
Open Singles
Paul Vocu def. Zach Gonsor, 7-5, 6-1; Mitchell Hofer def. Vocu, 6-3, 6-0; Ryan Zink def. Cason Hellwig, 6-3, 6-4; Colton Hellwig, def. Palmer Johnson, 6-1, 6-3; Joshua Hadler def. AJ Prehn, 6-0, 6-0.
4.5 Singles
Aric Tennant def. Hunter Miller, 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (2-7), (10-8); Gabe Swanson def. Gannon Pederson, 6-1, 6-2.
Open Doubles
Cason Hellwig-Landon Zikmund def. Ian Ahlberg-Zach Gonsor, 6-3, 6-4; Colton Hellwig-Ron Meier def. John Vogel-Aaron Kiesz, 6-1, 6-2; Joshua Hadler-Paul Vocu def. Don Peck-Dave Vilhauer, 6-1, 6-1.
8.0 Doubles
Gannon Pederson-Dawson Pederson def. Christian Wells-Ezra Feickert, 6-3, 6-4; Kevin Bain-Jack Bain def. Hunter Miller-Conner Miller, 6-2, 6-1.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Open Singles
Laney Gonsor def. Reese Comstock, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).
Open Doubles
Julia Knie-Avery Tennant def. Addison O’Keefe-Emily Magera, 6-1, 6-1; Megan Thone-Laney Gonsor def. Chloe Ladner-Mady Holman, 7-5, 6-2; Emily Ringgenberg-Alice Vogel def. Knie-Tennant, 6-2, 3-6, (11-9); Reese Comstock-Liv Douglas def Thone-Gonsor, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).
MIXED DOUBLES
Open
Ron Meier-Julia Knie def. Paul Vocu-Reese Comstock, 3-6, 6-3, (10-8); Zach Gonsor-Laney Gonsor def. Sam Casper-Megan Thone, 4-6, 7-5, (10-5); John Vogel-Alice Vogel def. Don Peck-Susan Bostian, 6-3, 6-2; Colton Hellwig-Emily Ringgenberg def. Meier-Knie, 6-2, 6-3; Gregg Magera-Emily Magera def. Joshua Hadler-Mady Holman, 4-6, 6-2, (10-7); Ryan Zink-Ellie Zink, def Gonsor-Gonsor, 6-1, 6-4; Mitchell Hofer-Avery Tennant def. Vogel-Vogel, 6-2, 6-1.
8.0
Caleb Stoks-Madison Schmahl def. Gabe Swanson-Lachelle Swanson, by default; Gannon Pederson-Chloe Ladner def. Craig Wells-Annaliese Wells, 6-3, 6-3.
