Aberdeen Central may have lost the war, but the Golden Eagles won a couple of big battles in a dual against Rapid City Stevens on Thursday at the Northern State Courts. Stevens leads the dual 6-2 with one match that was suspended because the courts became unplayable.

Ian Ahlberg pulled out a 10-4 super-tiebreak win at number three singles, and then teamed with Lincoln Wilkinson for a 10-6 super-tiebreaker victory at number two doubles.

“The highlight of the day was winning the two tiebreaks, not just because they are wins, but how they happened,” said Central coach Trent Kurtz. “In both matches they had zero momentum, losing the second set easily and frustration had set in. But they did a great job of ‘playing present’ and only worrying about playing each point as well as they could. I’m extremely proud of their toughness and maturity.”

Kurtz was also pleased with the effort of Brett Jacobs, who split sets with his opponent before play was halted. That match will be resumed next week in Rapid City.

“Great effort by Brett today. He played his opponent at the beginning of the year and wasn’t competitive against him,” Kurtz said. “That is just really cool to see the growth he has made in the past month. He is getting better and better each week, and he is a great competitor.”

The Golden Eagles will play twice today. They will host Rapid City Central at 10 a.m. at the Holgate Courts and then face Aberdeen Roncalli around 4 p.m. at the NSU Courts.

SINGLES

Christian Mueller, RCS, def. Sekou Gogue, 6-2, 6-2.

Michael Tang, RCS, def. Zach Gonsor, 6-0, 6-1.

Ian Ahlberg, AC, def. Nolan Rehorst, 6-3, 0-6, (10-4).

Asa Hood, RCS, def. Lincoln Wilkinson, 6-1, 6-2.

Thomas Postma, RCS, def. Henry Fouberg, 6-4, 6-1.

Brett Jacobs, AC, and Conor Cruse, tied 4-6, 6-4, match to be continued.

DOUBLES

Jamison Pfingston-Tang, RCS, def. Goetz-Gonsor, 6-3, 6-4.

Ahlberg-Wilkinson, AC, def. Hood-Cruse, 6-3, 2-6, (10-6).

Postma-Mueller, RCS, def. Fouberg-Jacobs, 6-4, 6-2.