RAPID CITY – Aberdeen Roncalli capped its tennis season in a big way Tuesday at the Class A State Tournament in Rapid City.
The Cavaliers tied for fourth in team points, had a pair of second-place finishes, and won the Sportsmanship Award.
The Cavaliers were led by second-place finishes from Abigail Andersen at fifth flight singles, and the team of Gianna Cihak and Molleigh Hofer at second flight doubles.
Roncalli finished with 220 points, the same as Huron. Sioux Falls Christian won the tourney with a score of 600.
“Getting fourth place in the team standings was a perfect way to end the season. Everyone made it to the podium,” said Roncalli coach Ryan Bohle. “Sydney (Bohle) gets fourth in flight two singles. Abigail gets second in flight five singles, and Lydia (Nora) gets fifth in flight six singles. In doubles we get Molleigh and Gianna on the podium for getting second in flight two doubles, and Abigail and Lydia for third in flight three doubles.”
Roncalli was also able to get lone senior Josie Mitzel on the podium.
“Most importantly we get our senior leader Josie Mitzel to the podium for the first time in her tennis career by finishing fourth as a team. To me, getting Josie on that podium was as important as any individual accomplishment we’ve had all year long,” Coach Bohle said. “What Josie has meant to this program goes far beyond words. Her leadership and her ability to show these young girls what it takes and what it means to be a Roncalli Cavalier will be missed.”
To top it all off, the Cavaliers were selected for the team Sportsmanship Award, voted on by judges and coaches.
“What an honor it was to win that award,” Bohle said. “I think winning that award speaks volumes for our program, the direction it’s headed, and every piece of the puzzle that makes it all come together. There is a lot to be excited about in the future.”
Milbank finished eighth in team points, led by a third place finish from Jenna Korstjens at top flight singles.
Team Points: Sioux Falls Christian 600, Rapid City Christian 429, Vermillion 267, Aberdeen Roncalli 220, Huron 220, Lennox 216.5, St. Thomas More 187, Milbank 153.5, Madison 120, Spearfish 96.
Aberdeen Roncalli results
Singles
Second Flight
SYDNEY BOHLE: lost to Anna Westerberg, Sioux Falls Christian, 6-1, 6-4; lost to Elliya Strand, St. Thomas More, 10-1. FOURTH PLACE.
Third Flight
GIANNA CIHAK: lost to Calisa Alderson, Spearfish, 10-9 (7-3).
Fourth Flight
MOLLEIGH HOFER: def. Ella Ellwein, Lennox, 10-1; lost to Grace Herrington, Rapid City Christian, 10-7.
Fifth Flight
ABIGAIL ANDERSEN: def. Cora Love, Rapid City Christian, 6-2, 7-5; lost to Mattie Stroh, Sioux Falls Christian, 6-2, 6-1. SECOND PLACE.
Sixth Flight
LYDIA NORA: def. Dylyn Wagner, Vermillion, 10-3; def. Hallie Miller, St. Thomas More, 10-4. FIFTH PLACE.
Doubles
Second Flight
GIANNA CIHAK-MOLLEIGH HOFER: lost to Eisley Roark-Danielle Vander Dussen, Sioux Falls Christian, 6-0, 6-2. SECOND PLACE.
Third Flight
ABIGAIL ANDERSEN-LYDIA NORA: lost to Grace Herrington-Nasaya Frie, Rapid City Christian, 6-3, 6-3; def. Sadie Dahlhoff-Dylyn Wagner, Vermillion, 10-7. THIRD PLACE.
Milbank results
Singles
First Flight
JENNA KORSTJEN: lost to Addie Palmer, Rapid City Christian, 6-1, 6-0; def. Allie Mondloch, Spearfish, 10-3. THIRD PLACE.
Second Flight
CHARLOTTE SWENSON: lost to Idella Meyer, Huron, 10-7.
Third Flight
PAYTON LAMP: lost to Shelan Hinseth, Vermillion, 10-7.
Fifth Flight
BRI HICKS: lost to Josie Karim, St. Thomas More, 10-7.
Sixth Flight
REBECCA LAVELLE: lost to Hallie Miller, St. Thomas More, 10-5.
Doubles
Second Flight
JENNA KORSTJENS-AZUL PEREZ: lost to Idella Meyer-Taylor Sorben, Huron, 10-5.
Third Flight
KYLYNN SCHWANDT-REBECCA LAVELLE: lost to Hallie Millar-Blakesley Schlieffarth, St. Thomas More, 10-2.
