MILBANK – Aberdeen Central scored an 8-1 win over Milbank in the final road tennis dual of the season for the Golden Eagles.

Central had a strong showing in doubles, winning all of the matches in straight sets.

The flight three squad of Josiah Grandpre and Grayson Rehder won in two close sets.

“I thought we did a really good job attacking and getting stuff at the net. … Josiah and Grayson I thought did a good job attacking,” said Central coach Trent Kurtz. “Grayson is really getting good at attacking at the net, especially the forehand side.”

The second flight team Aric Tennant and Wyatt Kiesz used serving to help fuel its victory.

“Two doubles played well. They served really well,” Kurtz said. “Those two, when they serve well, they’re a very good doubles team.”

Dawson Pederson and Gannon Pederson lost just two games at first flight doubles.

“One doubles controlled,” Kurtz said. “They played a good match.”

Milbank’s only win came at first flight singles where Will Muellenbach pulled out a win over Dawson Pederson 10-3 in a super-tiebreaker.

“Really consistent. Really keeps the ball in play. … He hits with a lot of top spin,” Kurtz said of Muellenbach. “He played smart, and kept the ball in play, especially in that wind.”

Kurtz noted that Pederson has improved at approaching the net to end points.

“Dawson’s gotten a lot better at coming in and finishing points, which you have to do against kids that play that style,” Kurtz said. “Unfortunately, just made too many errors.”

He said Muellenbach produced the shots when he needed them.

“The kid, he’s a good counter-puncher, too. He made a lot of really good passing shots when Dawson came in,” Kurtz said. “He’s a good player.”

Central will compete in its final dual of the season when it hosts Roncalli at 4 this afternoon at the Holgate Courts. It’s always a meaningful dual between the cross-town teams, especially for Kurtz.

“It goes back to when I was a player. It’s Burt Elliot against Judy Rezatto. Both good tennis coaches. Loved them both,” Kurtz said. “Played for Burt for a lot of years, coached for Burt and coached for Judy in the summer for years and years. I also got to see how intense this rivalry was, so it’s kind of been put in me at an early age.”

While the rivalry has mellowed through the years, it’s still meaningful, according to Kurtz.

“It’s a fun rivalry. There’s no hatred or anything like that,” Kurtz said, “but it’s definitely one you want to win.”

Aberdeen Central 8, Milbank 1

SINGLES

Will Muellenbach, M, def. Dawson Pederson, 6-1, 5-7, 10-3.

Aric Tennant, AC, def. Preston Laskowski, 6-0, 6-0.

Gannon Pederson, AC, def. Devon Mueller, 6-1, 6-1.

Wyatt Kiesz, AC, def. Franklin Pederson, 6-3, 6-3.

Alex Tarver, AC, def. Nolan Grabow, 6-0, 6-1.

Grayson Rehder, AC, def. Jack TerDenge, 6-2, 6-2.

DOUBLES

D. Pederson-G. Pederson, AC, def. Muellenbach-Laskowske, 6-1, 6-1.

Tennant-Kiesz, AC, def. Mueller-Grabow, 6-2, 6-1.

Josiah Grandpre-Rehder, AC, def. Pederson-TerDenge, 6-4, 6-3.