MITCHELL – Aberdeen Roncalli fell twice to open its tennis campaign Tuesday, but the Cavaliers did not appear to have any first-day jitters. While Roncalli lost to Mitchell 9-0 and Huron 5-4, assistant coach Kelly Rae Haskell said the players were ready to go.

“Typically the first match of the season, we see kids that are amped up or nervous or some of them a little rusty,” Haskell said, “but I didn’t see that today. These varsity kids look like veterans out on the court.”

Haskell said the Cavaliers were able to handle four matches out in the heat after an early-morning travel schedule.

“We competed against two schools that are much bigger than us today,” Haskell said, “and our energy level held up really well.”

After being blanked by Mitchell, Roncalli went toe-to-toe with Huron, winning three matches in super tiebreakers and also dropping one in a super.

River Haskell claimed a win at second flight singles by a 10-7 margin in a super breaker.

“Often times you see kids get tight and play not to lose in those moments,” Coach Haskell said. “River stepped up and played courageously and hit several winners right at the end of the match.”

The team of Raley Haskell and Keira Rivett grabbed a victory at second flight doubles with a 10-6 decision in the super.

“Instead of looking nervous, they were fun to watch because it looked like they were truly enjoying themselves out on the court together,” Coach Haskell said. “This is the first year they’ve been paired up as doubles partners, which also allows Anna and Josie (Mitzel) to pair up as sisters which seemed to give them energy.”

The other super tiebreaker win came in the final match of the day where Katherine Kretchman and River Haskell pulled out a 10-7 win at top flight doubles, about 12 hours after the team had left for Mitchell to start the day.

“Their motto was ‘no free points.’ They worked really hard out there and earned that win,” Coach Haskell said.

Rivett also won her singles match at flight five against Huron.

The Cavaliers continue their busy week to start the season with two more duals on both Friday and Saturday at a tournament in Pierre.

“The kids definitely recognize some weaknesses and specific strategies they want to work on,” Haskell said, “so we’ve got our work cut out for us this week at practice.”

Mitchell 9, Aberdeen Roncalli 0

Singles

Delaney Degen, M, def. Katherine Kretchman, 6-0, 6-0.

Megan Mastel, M, def. River Haskell, 6-1, 6-1.

Carsyn Weich, M, def. Raley Haskell, 6-0, 6-0.

Katie Morgan, M, def. Anna Mitzel, 6-1, 6-0.

Elly Clement, M, def. Keira Rivett, 4-6, 6-4, (11-9).

Matteah Graves, M, def. Josie Mitzel, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles

Degen-Mastel, M, def. Kretchman-River Haskell, 6-1, 6-4.

Weich-Clement, M, def. Raley Haskell-Rivett, 6-2, 7-5.

Morgan-Graves, M, def. A. Mitzel-J. Mitzel, 6-2, 6-0.

Huron 5, Aberdeen Roncalli 4

Singles

AnneClaire Rubish, H, def. Katherine Kretchman, 6-3, 6-1.

River Haskell, AR, def. Elizabeth Heinen, 4-6, 6-4, (10-7).

Chalie Sah, H, def. Raley Haskell, 2-6, 6-3, (10-4).

Say Glay, H, def. Anna Mitzel, 6-0, 6-1.

Keira Rivett, AR, def. Paw Kler Moo, 1-6, 6-5, ret.

Madeline Kleinsasser, H, def. Josie Mitzel, 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles

Kretchman-River Haskell, AR, def. Rubish-Heinen, 4-6, 7-5, (10-7).

Raley Haskell-Rivett, AR, def. Sah-Kleinsasser, 2-6, 6-2 (10-6).

Glay-Moo, H, def. A. Mitzel-J. Mitzel, 4-6, 6-0 (10-8).