SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central was on the short end of numerous close matches as the State AA Tennis Tournament wrapped up on Friday.
The Golden Eagles were involved in nine matches on the day and lost seven of them, including three in tiebreakers.
“It’s kind of funny that our last practice we did do tiebreaks,” said Central coach John Vogel, “but I didn’t know we would do so many of them (at state).”
Not only that, but nearly all of the other matches were decided by three games or less.
Central did win two of those matches. Freshman Estelle Riggs won her match 10-8 to finish fifth at fourth flight singles. Eighth grader Sarah Knie won her match 10-7 to finish ninth at second flight singles.
The two also teamed up for a fourth place finish at second flight doubles.
“It was disappointing, especially for our seniors, to go down in the tiebreaks,” Vogel said, “but at the same time, to get the young ones on the podium (was nice).”
Despite falling short in some team goals, the Golden Eagles had a solid season, according to Vogel.
“I would say overall a very good year. We told them some of the life lessons of tennis, it’s a life-long sport you can learn lessons from. And it’s a lot of work your tail off and good things will happen,” Vogel said. “And that’s what we could see on the courts for these girls. They worked very hard and competed very hard. For a lot of them they didn’t get championships, but good things came to them.”
Rapid City Stevens won the state team championship. The Golden Eagles finished in seventh place.
“It was a long couple of days,” Vogel said, “but the girls played well, so we’re happy with how it turned out.”
Team Points: Rapid City Stevens 486.5, Sioux Falls Lincoln 417.5, Harrisburg 381.5, Mitchell 287, Yankton 257, Sioux Falls Jefferson 233.5, Aberdeen Central 176, O’Gorman 163.5, Watertown 153, Brandon Valley 145, Sioux Falls Washington 40.5, Brookings 27.5, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 20, Rapid City Central 5.5.
SINGLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT: lost to Keera Kriech, Brandon Valley, 10-7.
Second Flight
SARAH KNIE: def. Sophia Menden, Brandon Valley, 10-7. NINTH PLACE.
Third Flight
CHLOE LADNER: lost to Claudia Scholten, Brandon Valley, 10-9 (7-4).
Fourth Flight
ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Kaia Pauli, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 10-8. FIFTH PLACE.
Fifth Flight
MADY HOLMAN: lost to Ruby Bender, O’Gorman, 10-9 (7-4).
DOUBLES
First Flight
AVERY TENNANT-CHLOE LADNER: lost to Leyla Meester-Jade Smith, Watertown, 10-9 (8-6).
Second Flight
SARAH KNIE-ESTELLE RIGGS: lost to Arabella Scott-Ella Potvin, Rapid City Stevens, 6-1, 6-4; lost to Noa Lovro-Hope Gabel, Harrisburg, 10-5. FOURTH PLACE.
Third Flight
MADY HOLMAN-ANNELIESE WELLS: lost to Elly Dingsor-Jennika Kettwig, Watertown, 10-8.
