WATERTOWN – Aberdeen Central accomplished something that no other team did during the first day of the Eastern South Dakota Conference Tennis Tournament. The Golden Eagles won all of their matches and have all six players into today’s semifinal round of singles.
“I’m really glad everyone’s through,” said Central coach John Vogel. “I’m surprised we’re the only one with everyone through.”
While there was some challenging matches, Central found a way to win each one of them, in extremely blustery conditions.
“I really did think we handled the wind better than most players,” Vogel said. “We really didn’t make too many big adjustments. We just kind of played our game still.”
Julia Knie was able to pull away midway through her match at top flight singles.
“At 6-5 Julia took both those games,” Vogel said, “and that’s kind of what separated it then.”
While Central leads the team points, it is a bit deceiving, because when play resumes this morning, things will get much more difficult.
“Now, granted they get really tough tomorrow, because we’re the three and four seeds in a lot of these,” Vogel said of upcoming matches. “Other than Chloe (Ladner) I don’t think we have anyone who’s the favorite in any more matches.”
Still, it could not have been a better opening day for the blue and gold.
“Our goal was to get everyone through,” Vogel said. “I did not anticipate being the only team to do it, but hey, if one team’s going to do it, I’m glad it’s us.”
SINGLES
First Flight
JULIA KNIE: def. Megan Mastel, Mitchell, 10-6.
Second Flight
AVERY TENNANT: def. Sophia Menden, Brandon Valley, 10-4.
Third Flight
REESE COMSTOCK: def. Claudia Scholten, Brandon Valley, 10-3.
Fourth Flight
CHLOE LADNER: def. Amara Dell, Pierre, 10-2.
Fifth Flight
SARAH KNIE: def. Eliza Mayer, Pierre, 10-2.
Sixth Flight
ASHLEY ORTEGA: def. Adrian Hand, Pierre, 10-3.
