While there are positions that need to be filled in the lower part of the lineup, Aberdeen Central has experienced and accomplished players at the top of its tennis squad this season.

The Golden Eagles will be led by senior Julia Knie, who played flight one singles, and junior Avery Tennant, who played at second flight singles.

“You bring back a number one and number two, you’re in a good spot,” said Central coach John Vogel.

The two girls also formed the state’s top doubles tandems a year ago, when they finished runner-up at the State AA Tournament.

Reese Comstock, who finished third at state at fifth flight singles, will likely be moving up the lineup this fall.

While Vogel said that nothing is a given, he also recognizes what his most experienced players bring to the lineup.

“I’m open to new ideas, but the I love the tradition of tennis,” Vogel said. “We will keep last year in mind and the successes we had.”

After that, it will be a battle to see who rounds out the varsity squad this fall.

Mady Holman and Chloe Ladner both played on the upper level of the junior varsity a year ago and also played in a few varsity matches.

Senior Ashley Ortega has been on the court a lot this summer, according to Vogel.

“She joined our summer hitting club,” Vogel said.

Other players who figure to be in the mix include Annaliese Wells, Avry Fischer, and seventh-grader Sarah Knie.

Vogel said the girls played indoors last winter and then put in the time this past summer.

“We have some players who are playing a lot tennis,” Vogel said, “and that’s sort of what the summer is for the girls.”

Vogel said the Golden Eagles have flourished in doubles in recent years, and expects that trend to continue this fall.

“That last few years we’ve been a really good doubles team, so we do focus on that,” Vogel said. “We’ll just see how it all plays out.”

Central opens its season with multiple matches in Pierre on Friday, Aug. 16, and then heads to Sioux Falls for more matches the following week. Vogel said he plans on experimenting early in the season to find the best fits for the squad.

“We’ll try some things and we’ll mix it up. That will be the perfect time though to play other people, and then we’ll come back and we mix things up,” Vogel said. “And the next weekend we’re in Sioux Falls and we mix things up once again. And I do tell them I generally will come after the Sioux Falls matches then, we try to have our lineup set by then. We’ll try to have it mostly done after Pierre, but last year we switched up doubles teams after Sioux Falls.”

Vogel said playing opponents from different schools gives him a better indication of what to expect from his players.

“Its one thing to practice really well,” he said, “but some people don’t like playing their teammates.”

The Golden Eagles are coming off a memorable campaign last season where they won the Eastern South Dakota Conference Championship for the first time since 2013, and also finished fifth at the state tournament.

While the players bring a variety of skill sets to the tennis court, Vogel said the most notable one is their care-free spirit.

“We have a team of fun-loving people. They’re kind of goof balls, which I’ve seen coming,” Vogel said. “They’re not overly serious, but one of our unofficial team slogans is … if you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong. I think I’ve been saying it long enough …. that I think it’s starting to sink in.”

That said, Vogel expects the girls to still work hard and compete, but just enjoy the experience while they’re out there doing that.

“They do like to have a lot of fun,” Vogel said. “I always like to point out though, that does not mean we don’t try our best and we work. But I will say, if you’re miserable while winning, what is the point?”