YANKTON – Aberdeen Central had some individual highlights during the second day of the Eastern South Dakota Conference Tennis Tournament, but fell short of a team goal.
Nobody had a bigger day than senior Chloe Ladner who captured the championship at third flight singles.
“She played fantastic,” said Central coach John Vogel.
In the semifinal match things got a bit interesting, according to Vogel. He said there was a dispute over a call and the players had a heated exchange.
“That girl lost her head and Chloe played fantastic,” Vogel said, noting that Ladner rallied from a 1-4 deficit get back in the match, eventually winning 10-7.
Ladner then avenged a prior defeat to a Harrisburg foe in winning the title match.
“I’ve never seen her play better than in that final. … It was just fun to watch” Vogel said. “That was great to see.”
The flight two doubles team of Sarah Knie and Estelle Riggs ended up taking second place. The duo held on for a tight win during the semifinals.
“Those twos made it kind of interesting,” said Vogel, noting they had a 9-4 lead at one point before pulling out a 10-8 win.
Vogel was proud of the doubles squad, which eventually fell to a team from Harrisburg in the title match.
“That two team from Harrisburg is just darn good,” Vogel said.
Mady Holman also had a solid day, finishing third in singles and teaming with Anneliese Wells to finish third in doubles.
“Kudos to threes, too. … We got some podium there as well,” Vogel said.
However, the Golden Eagles, who will now prepare for the State AA Tournament in Sioux Falls next week, still felt a tinge of disappointment on the day after finishing fourth in the team standings.
“A top four finish is OK. We’re right there. It’s one of those bummer deals,” Vogel said. “I really wanted a top three, but we’ll take it.”
Team Points: Harrisburg 305, Mitchell 275, Yankton 241, Aberdeen Central 207, Brandon Valley 108, Watertown 105, Pierre 41, Brookings 0, Huron 0.
SINGLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT: def. Anika Hooda, Brookings, 8-1; lost to Keera Kriech, Brandon Valley, 8-0.
Second Flight:
SARAH KNIE: lost to Mattea Graves, Mitchell, 10-4; lost to Madelyn Von Wald, 8-2. FOURTH PLACE
Third Flight:
CHLOE LADNER: def. Claudia Scholten, Brandon Valley, 10-7; def. Noa Lovro, Harrisburg, 10-4. FIRST PLACE.
Fourth Flight
ESTELLE RIGGS: lost to Mia Larson, Mitchell, 10-5; lost to Harper Beatch, Brandon Valley, 8-2. FOURTH PLACE.
Fifth Flight
MADY HOLMAN: lost to Hannah Frye, Harrisburg, 10-2; def. Adrian Hand, Pierre, 8-4. THIRD PLACE.
Sixth Flight
ANNELIESE WELLS: lost to Ava Prunty, Mitchell, 10-8; lost to Jessi Muth, Harrisburg, 8-3. FOURTH PLACE.
DOUBLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT-CHLOE LADNER: lost to Megan Mastel-Matteah Graves, Mitchell, 10-3; lost to Leyla Meester-Jade Smith, Watertown, 8-2. FOURTH PLACE.
Second Flight
SARAH KNIE-ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Kathlee Morgan-Mia Larson, Mitchell, 10-8; lost to Noa Lovro-Hope Gabel, Harrisburg, 10-5. SECOND PLACE.
Third Flight
MADY HOLMAN-ANNELIESE WELLS: lost to Hannah Frye-Jessi Muth, Harrisburg, 10-5; def. Olivia Ericcson-McKenzie Riley, Brandon Valley, 8-6. THIRD PLACE.
