PIERRE – Aberdeen Roncalli collected its first tennis dual victory on Saturday, defeating Madison 7-2 at the West River Invitational. The Cavaliers fell to Rapid City Christian 8-1 to start the day.

Against Rapid City Christian, the lone win came from Kiera Rivett, who won her flight five singles match by a score of 10-8. Roncalli assistant coach Kelli Rae Haskell was pleased with the sophomore’s efforts.

“Kiera showed some real mental and physical toughness on the court today against Rapid City Christian pulling out a close victory,” Coach Haskell said. “Super proud of her for not cracking under the pressure of some unique circumstances. She kept her game face on and is hitting the ball with more pace this year.”

The Cavaliers bounced back with the win over Madison, receiving singles wins from River Haskell at flight two, Raley Haskell at flight three, Anna Mitzel at flight four, and Rivett at flight five. Coach Haskell noted that the team had to work to earn those singles wins.

“Madison made us work a little harder for our four singles wins, which was a challenge being the eighth match for these kids in the heat over the two days,” Coach Haskell said.

In doubles competition, Roncalli picked up wins in all three flights, something Coach Haskell was pleased to see.

“Pretty excited for the team to have a win over Madison today,” she said. “We started out with three solid wins in doubles where across the board we were utilizing some good crosscourt angle strategy, and covering the net quite well.”

Haskell said she was also impressed with how the players kept working throughout the day despite the obstacles they had to face.

“They kept their focus and were willing to work hard even when their bodies were worn out and their feet were blistering,” Haskell said. “They earned this win against Madison today.”

The Cavaliers will play at the Madison Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Rapid City Christian 8, Aberdeen Roncalli 1

Singles

Riley Geyer, RCC, def. Katherine Kretchman, 10-4.

Allison Hill, RCC, def. River Haskell, 10-2.

Katie Palmer, RCC, def. Raley Haskell, 10-4.

Monica Whitman, RCC, def. Anna Mitzel, 10-5.

Keira Rivett, AR, def. Evie Biers, 10-8.

Addie Palmer, RCC, def. Josie Mitzel, 10-1.

Doubles

Hill-K. Palmer, RCC, def. Kretchman-River Haskell, 10-2.

Geyer-Whitman, RCC, def. Raley Haskell-Rivett, 10-3.

Biers-A. Palmer, RCC, def. A. Mitzel-J. Mitzel, 10-6.

Aberdeen Roncalli 7, Madison 2

Singles

Delilah Maxwell, M, def. Katherine Kretchman, 10-6.

River Haskell, AR, def. Sienna Maxwell, 10-7.

Raley Haskell, AR, def. Macy Patch, 10-1.

Anna Mitzel, AR, def. Christian Rowe, 10-2.

Keira Rivett, AR, def. Miranda Gonyo, 10-4.

Callie Bounds, M, def. Josie Mitzel, 10-3.

Doubles

Kretchman-River Haskell, AR, def. D. Maxwell-S. Maxwell, 10-5.

Raley Haskell-Rivett, AR, def. Rowe-Gonyo, 10-6.

A. Mitzel-J. Mitzel, AR, def. Bounds-Kauffman, 10-2.