SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central was involved in many close matches during the opening day of the State AA Tennis Tournament in Sioux Falls on Thursday.
The Golden Eagles sit in seventh place in the team standings.
“We did have some tight matches,” said Central coach John Vogel. “Singles started kind of rough. That’s why we like to end with doubles.”
The second flight doubles squad of Sarah Knie and Estelle Riggs advanced to today’s semifinals by winning a pair of matches on the day. The duo lost just five games total, and had a convincing win over a Yankton foe in the quarterfinals.
“That Yankton win, technically we were the underdog in that one,” Vogel said, “and two dubs just destroyed them. That was a good one.”
Riggs also had a big day in singles according to Vogel, with a win at flight four singles over an opponent that she lost to at the Eastern South Dakota Conference Tournament last week.
“Estelle Riggs is playing the best I’ve ever seen her play. … That girl just demolished her at ESD a week ago,” Vogel said, “and Estelle repaid the favor and it wasn’t even close.”
Mady Holman also came up big for a win at flight five singles. Holman trailed 6-1 before rallying for a 10-7 victory.
“She ended up dominating the second half of that match,” Vogel said.
Central will have a lot of players on the court when the tournament resumes today.
“Eight of nine flights are still alive,” Vogel said, “and we still have chances for everyone to make podium.”
Vogel noted that the Golden Eagles will be underdogs in a majority of their matches today.
“It’s going to be tough, tough matches,” Vogel said.
Team Points: Rapid City Stevens 276, Harrisburg 266, Sioux Falls Lincoln 265, Mitchell 247.5, Sioux Falls Jefferson 197.5, Yankton 176.5, Aberdeen Central 166.5, O’Gorman 154, Watertown 136.5, Brandon Valley 127, Sioux Falls Washington 37, Brookings 27.5, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 20, Rapid City Central 5.5.
SINGLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT: lost to Leyla Meester, Watertown, 7-5, 6-0; bye; def. Madelyn Dahlmeier, Sioux Falls Washington, 10-3.
Second Flight
SARAH KNIE: lost to Jade Smith, Watertown, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4); bye; def. Elizabeth Morgans, Sioux Falls Washington, 10-9 (7-2).
Third Flight
CHLOE LADNER: def. Sahnita Tummala, Brookings, 6-4, 6-0; lost to Kathleen Morgan, Mitchell, 6-3, 6-2; def. Avery Rehfeldt, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 10-7.
Fourth Flight
ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Corrine Cahill, Sioux Falls Washington, 6-2, 6-2; lost to Madison Marsh, Rapid City Stevens, 6-1, 6-1; def. Harper Beatch, Brandon Valley, 10-4.
Fifth Flight
MADY HOLMAN: def. Emma Hemsley, Sioux Falls Washington, 6-4, 6-4; lost to Elliot Smith, Mitchell, 6-3, 3-6, (11-9); def. Elly Dingsor, Watertown, 10-7.
Sixth Flight
ANNELIESE WELLS: def. Nicole Marie Ilieva, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 6-0, 6-1; lost to Jessi Muth, Harrisburg, 6-2, 6-2; lost to Jennika Kettwig, Watertown, 10-3.
DOUBLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT-CHLOE LADNER: def. Mckenzie Vickery-Madelyn Von Wald, Harrisburg, 6-4, 2-6, (10-7); lost to Eloise Geraets-Lily Statema, Sioux Falls Lincoln, 6-1, 6-0.
Second Flight
SARAH KNIE-ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Lilly Deming-Mya Rivers, Rapid City Central, 6-1, 6-1; def. Karalyn Koerner-Meagan Scott, Yankton, 6-1, 6-2.
Third Flight
MADY HOLMAN-ANNELIESE WELLS: def. Alivia Dahlmeier-Kinsley Stroh, Sioux Falls Washington, 6-1, 6-1; lost to Ruby Bender-Jude Houck, O’Gorman, 6-3, 7-5 (10-8).
