RAPID CITY – It was a mixed day of tennis for Aberdeen Central during the first day of the Class AA State Tennis Tournament in Rapid City on Thursday.
The Golden Eagles were involved in seven super-tiebreakers, winning their first three and losing their final four.
“It was a day for breakers,” said Central coach John Vogel.
The Golden Eagles got off to a quick start in those super-tiebreakers, but then came up short.
“At the end though they got us,” Vogel said. “We lost our last two in dubs.”
Central’s Estelle Riggs advanced to the semifinals at flight two singles.
“Estelle getting to the semis is the highlight,” Vogel said.
Riggs will take on top-seeded Hope Gabel of Harrisburg this morning.
“She’s never beat Hope. … We already kind of a plan for her,” Vogel said.
He also pointed out the potential that Riggs has when she is dialed in.
“When she’s on, look out,” Vogel said.
Penelope Vogel had a big comeback to pick up a super breaker in the opening round at flight four singles.
“She was down 1-6 in that breaker,” Coach Vogel said, “and then she just took it from there.”
Vogel also pointed out the play of Central’s top flight doubles team, which defeated O’Gorman 6-1 in the opening set before eventually falling in a super.
“That first set against OG, I’ve never seen Sarah Knie play better doubles,” Vogel said.
Vogel said the ability to pull out those close matches often comes down to who can handle the pressure. He said players were asking him what they did wrong.
“Girls it looks like you just got tight. It got close and you got tight,” Vogel said he told them. “And really that’s the big difference. Can you stay loose or are you going to get nervous? Kudos to the winners who stay loose, and that’s generally it. Hopefully (Friday) we can play loose tennis.”
The Golden Eagles are currently sixth in team points and have plenty of opportunities to add their total when action resumes this morning, having all of their players still in action.
“We got a lot of people playing for fifth, and two singles and one doubles team going for consis,” Vogel said, “trying to win the consi championship.”
While the second day of tournaments can be challenge, Vogel said his players have some chances to come out on top.
“Day 2 is tough,” Vogel said. “I do think this time we have winnable matches.”
Weather conditions could be a factor today in Rapid City.
“(Friday) is going to be almost 90 here, so that’s something else we’ve got to worry about,” Vogel said. “The good thing, we play a lot in the morning; after lunch it’s going to be hot.”
Team Points: Rapid City Stevens 284, Sioux Falls Lincoln 274, Mitchell 230, O’Gorman 230, Harrisburg 171.5, Aberdeen Central 129, Sioux Falls Jefferson 118, Watertown 94.5, Pierre 82, Sioux Falls Washington 75.5, Brandon Valley 62.
Singles
First Flight
SARAH KNIE: def. Harper Beatch, Brandon Valley, 6-2, 6-1; lost to Momo Welch Okawa, Sioux Falls Lincoln, 6-2, 6-0.
Second Flight
ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Elizabeth Morgan, Sioux Falls Washington, 7-5, 6-0; def. Sarah Jamous, O’Gorman, 6-1, 2-6, (10-4);
Third Flight
MADY HOLMAN: lost to Isabella Neilan, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 6-2, 4-6, (10-8); bye;
Fourth Flight
PENELOPE VOGEL: def. Audrey Wilhelm, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 2-6, 6-1, (10-6); lost to Presley Carlson, Rapid City Stevens, 6-1, 6-0;
Fifth Flight
JOVEE WALDO: def. Hanna Hruby, Harrisburg, 6-4, 4-6, (10-7); lost to Hadley Garry, O’Gorman, 6-3, 6-0.
Sixth Flight
RAYLEE ZIMMER: lost to Emma Barnett, Pierre, 4-6, 6-4, (10-8); def. Raegan Patton, Rapid City Central, 10-4.
Doubles
First Flight
SARAH KNIE-ESTELLE RIGGS: def. Dahlmeier-Morgans, Sioux Falls Washington, 6-2, 6-1; lost to Koziara-Houck, O’Gorman, 1-6, 6-3, (10-5).
Second Flight
MADY HOLMAN-PENELOPE VOGEL: def. Pederson-Ilieva, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 6-0, 6-3; lost to Jamous-Garry, O’Gorman, 6-1, 6-1.
Third Flight
JOVEE WALDO-RAYLEE ZIMMER: lost to Fox-Pesek, Watertown, 6-1, 2-6, (10-8); bye.
