YANKTON – Aberdeen Central won eight of its nine first-round matches during the opening day of the Eastern South Dakota Conference Tennis Tournament on Monday. As a result, the Golden Eagles are in second place in team points, just four points behind Mitchell.
“It was a good day,” said Central coach John Vogel.
One of the highlights on the day was a tiebreaker win for Annaliese Wells at flight six singles. The senior led 7-4 at one stage, fell behind 9-8, forced a tiebreaker and prevailed in that to secure the win.
“Annaliese, oh my goodness,” Vogel said, “not only was it a tiebreak, it was a marathon tiebreak.”
Wells lost a match in a super tiebreaker last Saturday, but pulled out a tight one this time.
“I’m really hoping this helps her confidence,” Vogel said.
Sarah Knie also pulled out a close win at second flight singles by a margin of 10-7.
Central’s only setback came at first flight singles, where Avery Tennant fell to Megan Mastel of Mitchell.
“I know Avery feels bad,” Vogel said. “That’s a flip fop. She beat Megan from Mitchell during the regular season, but Megan played way better today and Avery didn’t.”
While Vogel was pleased with the opening day results, he noted that the Golden Eagles were in a similar position a year ago before slipping in the team standings.
“We were the only perfect team last year (opening day) and we ended up in fourth,” Vogel said. “This first round means nothing. I’m certainly glad we’re near the top.”
Action wraps up today during the tourney.
Team Points: Mitchell 134, Aberdeen Central 130, Harrisburg 126, Yankton 98, Watertown 54, Brandon Valley 46, Pierre 12, Brookings 0, Huron 0.
SINGLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT: lost to Megan Mastel, Mitchell, 10-4
Second Flight:
SARAH KNIE: def. Sophia Menden, Brandon Valley, 10-7.
Third Flight:
CHLOE LADNER: def. Sahnita Tummala, Brookings, 10-1.
Fourth Flight
ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Grace Pesek, Watertown, 10-0.
Fifth Flight
MADY HOLMAN: def. Olivia Ericcson, Brandon Valley, 10-5.
Sixth Flight
ANNALIESE WELLS: def. Gemma Stangeland, Pierre, 9-9 (7-5).
DOUBLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT-CHLOE LADNER: def. Mckenzie Vickery-Madelyn Von Wald, Harrisburg, 10-7.
Second Flight
SARAH KNIE-ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Savannah Sovell-Grace Pesek, Watertown, 10-6.
Third Flight
MADY HOLMAN-ANNALIESE WELLS: def. Elly Dingsor-Jennika Kettwig, Watertown, 10-5.
