SIOUX FALLS – The effort and improvements were there for Aberdeen Central. However, so was the state’s elite volleyball team across the net.

The Golden Eagles made their presence felt before falling to top-seeded and unbeaten Harrisburg 25-16, 25-18, 15-14 in the opening round of the Class AA State Volleyball Tournament Thursday morning at the Sanford Premier Center.

“We knew that every element of our game would have to be on point,” said Central coach Jackie Bindenagel.

For the most part, the Golden Eagles improved in most facets from an earlier sweep to Harrisburg, but like all of the over Tigers’ opponents this year, found out it wasn’t enough.

“Our serve receive got better. I thought we served fairly aggressively. We had eight misses, but I thought we served fairly aggressively,” Bindenagel said, “and one of the main focuses this week was getting some good block touches, because their hitters are so good, and we did that, but it was kind of the out of system stuff, the communication errors, that hurt us a little bit today.”

The Tigers, who have only lost three total sets all season, were able to finish off all three sets after Central hung around for a while.

“We need our blocks on. Today our block was on,” said Central junior Kenadi Withers. “Our block was very good today and that’s one thing that definitely helped us out a lot, and just getting touches, even like if it’s not a self block, even if its just a straight up block, it helps us in the long run.”

One thing that hampered the Golden Eagles was a few too many errors, especially in the middle set.

“We needed confidence in ourselves. We started that second set with five errors, which it definitely killed us,” Withers said. “We didn’t even lose that bad in the second set. It was probably our best set, and if we wouldn’t have had those five errors in the first five points, it definitely would have brought us up and helped us.”

Central’s effort and adjustments did not go unnoticed.

“They made some adjustments. They were trying to go high hands on us, and they tooled our blocks and they were doing some really good things,” said Harrisburg coach Ronette Costain. “So, very well-coached. You could see them trying to find a solution and give them credit for giving all the effort they had.”

In the end, the Tigers proved to be too much. Harrisburg collected 39 kills led by Gabi Zachariasen with 17. The Tigers featured a balanced attack with a lot of people getting involved.

“It was nice that we could get a few extra kids in for us, because it doesn’t always happen at a state tournament,” Costain said, “and they just didn’t miss a beat, even the kids that came in.”

If the Tigers had any pre-tournament pressure, they did not display much of it during the opening round match.

“We all prayed before the game,” said Harrisburg’s Maggie Meister, “so I think that helped us all a lot, just like be relaxed, and just go out there and have fun.”

Meister’s sister, Abby, is a key member of the Northern State squad and was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Libero of the Year.

“Abby has definiltey helped me a lot, just with my game and how to be as good as I can be,” said Meister who is headed to play at South Dakota State next season, “and I definitely look up to her a lot and I’m very grateful for her.”

Lauryn Burckhard topped Central with eight kills. Withers finished with three kills, 12 digs, and three assisted blocks.

Despite the setback, the Golden Eagles plan on taking some positive things away from their first match in preparation for consolation action today.

“We can take some positives,” Bindenagel said. “Our base block was kind of wandering a little bit today, but things we can tighten up for (Friday).”

Central, 12-9 on the season, will face Watertown at 11 today.

“If play like how we’ve been playing it will be a good game,” Withers said.

Serving: Aberdeen Central 3 aces (Lauryn Burckhard 2 Abigail DeVries); Harrisburg 5 aces (Gabi Zachariasen 1).

Hitting: Aberdeen Central 15 kills (Burckhard 8, Kenadi Withers 3, Kamdyn Borge 3, Alivia Miller); Harrisburg 39 (Zachariasen 17, Bergen Stiff 5, Kya Keegan 4, Karalynn Leach 4).

Setting: Aberdeen Central 15 assists (Miller 14); Harrisburg 35 (Josalyn Samuels 27, Avery Klein 4).

Digs: Aberdeen Central 51 (Taylin Kleffman 13, Withers 12, Maddie Sandvig 7, Kennedy Osborne 6); Harrisburg 79 (Maggie Meister 25, Kennedy Kokenge 20, Zachariasen 15, Lindsay Langner 12).

Blocks: Aberdeen Central 2 solo 10 assists (Amelia Rife 1 solo 1 assist, Burckhard 1 solo, Karlie Nieman 4 assists, Withers 3 assists); Harrisburg 2 solo 2 assists (Zachariasen 1 solo, Julia Masselink 1 solo, Keegan 1 assist, Bergen Stiff 1 assist).

Records: Aberdeen Central 13-9; Harrisburg 20.