Aberdeen Central wrapped up its run through the state’s elite tennis gauntlet Monday hosting Brandon Valley and O’Gorman at the Holgate Courts. The Golden Eagles did score an exciting doubles win in an 8-1 dual setback to Brandon Valley before being blanked by OG 9-0.

“I think the guys are ready for the last seven days to be over,” said Central coach Trent Kurtz after a week-long stretch where his team faced the likes of Harrisburg, Sioux Falls Christian, and Sioux Falls Lincoln along with Monday’s foes. “We probably played the five best teams in the state. I thought we really played alright. We were competitive in a lot of spots against Brandon Valley. Obviously, a big win for three dubs. That’s a huge win for them. At flight one, flight three, flight six in singles we were pretty competitive, too.”

The third flight doubles team of Grayson Rehder and Josiah Grandpre overcame an 8-5 deficit to win five straight games and secure a 10-8 victory.

“It was a lot about energy,” Rehder said. “Our coach was telling us just to stay aggressive and have a little energy, so that’s what we tried to do and it worked.”

Kurtz said the tandem controlled nearly all of the final five games, and said the biggest thing was the return of serve.

“I think the biggest thing, they started getting their returns of serves in, so they got into the point. They were doing a good job holding our serves all game long,” Kurtz said. “We served well, both of those guys did a good job attacking up at the net. The difference was we just started getting into the point on their serve game. We got our returns in play.”

Despite being down by three games, Kurtz reminded the players the difference was only one break of serve.

“At 5-8 we were kind of out there talking with them,” Kurtz said. “You just have to remind them, it’s only one break. … We got that break right away and then got a little confidence.”

The final dagger came in the second to the last game of the match.

“And then at 8-8 they won a big deuce point,” Kurtz said. “That was probably the point of the match.”

Rehder was pleased with his team’s come-from-behind win.

“They’re really good,” Rehder said. “We were happy to win that one.”

The senior is making his first appearance on the varsity this season and has only played tennis for three years. He is still figuring out the finer points of the game.

“I think I’ve learned a lot about the importance of a good serve,” Rehder said. “I was big on just ground strokes and then I realized how much it meant to start the point off on a good note and returning it well. I think that really clicked.”

Central found the going much more difficult against O’Gorman.

“Then you get up against OG and it’s just a little bit of a different level,” Kurtz said. “They’re probably favored to win the title this year. They just kind of overpowered us and it was just tough even winning games.”

The Golden Eagles are able to keep things in perspective when facing the premier teams in the state.

“It’s been good to play against really good teams,” said senior Gannon Pederson. “I think it’s going to help us get better.”

While it was nice for Central to finally be at home, the conditions were far from pleasant with cool temps, overcast skies and a steady breeze.

“At first when you’re warming up, it’s pretty miserable,” Pederson said. “You can’t feel your hands. It sucks, but then once you get moving around, it feels a lot better. You don’t really notice it as much.”

Pederson has made big jumps this season, moving up to flight three singles and top flight doubles.

“There’s a lot of more power in the forehands. People are more consistent the higher you get,” he said. “All around, it’s just a higher level of tennis.”

He is enjoying playing doubles with his brother Dawson this spring.

“Dawson’s been a great doubles partner, actually,” Pederson said. “You don’t even have to do too much. He’s just going to make the play all the time. I just have to sit there and make sure I don’t mess up.”

Central takes on Yankton and Huron on Thursday in Huron.

Brandon Valley 8, Aberdeen Central 1

SINGLES

Eli Woidyla, BV, def. Dawson Pederson, 10-5.

Will Jensen, BV, def. Aric Tennant, 10-3.

Ryley McKeown, BV, def. Gannon Pederson, 10-6.

Titan Gross, BV, def. Wyatt Kiesz, 10-0.

Sanders Anshutz, BV, def. Alex Tarver, 10-3.

Travis Rowberry, BV, def. Grayson Rehder, 10-3.

DOUBLES

Woidyla-Jensen, BV, def. D. Pederson-G. Pederson, 10-0.

Rowberry-Gross, BV, def. Tennant-Kiesz, 10-2.

Josiah Grandpre-Rehder, AC, def. Anshutz-Max Vincelli, 10-8.

O’Gorman 9, Aberdeen Central 0

SINGLES

Will Koziara, OG, def. Dawson Pederson, 10-0.

Johnny McDowell, OG, def. Aric Tennant, 10-0.

August Jackson, OG, def. Gannon Pederson, 10-2.

Ben Pekas, OG, def. Wyatt Kiesz, 10-0.

Finn Canfield, OG, def. Alex Tarver, 10-2.

Reed Oakland, OG, def. Grayson Rehder, 10-0.

DOUBLES

Koziara-McDowell, OG, def. D. Pederson-G. Pederson, 10-0.

Jackson-Canfield, OG, def. Tennant-Kiesz, 10-2.

Pekas-Noah Dobbs, OG, def. Josiah Grandpre-Rehder, 10-0.