HURON – Aberdeen Central split a pair of girls’ tennis matches Friday afternoon, falling 8-1 to Mitchell before bouncing back with a 6-3 win over Brandon Valley. The matches were originally scheduled for earlier this month, but were postponed due to heat.

Central coach John Vogel acknowledged his team got off to a slow start against Mitchell, dropping all six singles matches to begin the day. But a quick mid-match pep talk – and some snacks – helped the Golden Eagles reset.

Julia Knie and Avery Tennant were the first to rebound, taking an early lead in their flight one doubles match and cruising to a 10-3 victory.

That win sparked a series of bounce-back victories for the Golden Eagles against Brandon Valley.

“Julis and Avery maintained their momentum with impressive singles wins at flights one and two (respectively) against Brandon Valley,” Vogel said. “And Livia Douglas picked up a nice win at flight four, which allowed us to split singles.”

Central then swept through the doubles matches to secure the overall match victory.

“Sweeping doubles was a nice way to end the day, especially with how it got started,” Vogel said.

Vogel again pointed out the play of Knie and Tennant at the top flight, noting they looked poised and sharp on the court.

“Hopefully they can keep it up next week at ESD,” he said.

The win marks the end of the regular season for the Golden Eagles, whose final scheduled match against Sioux Falls Christian today has been canceled due to forecasted rain. The Golden Eagles will now turn their attention to the Eastern South Dakota Conference Tournament next week in Pierre.

Mitchell 8, Aberdeen Central 1

Singles

Delaney Degen, MIT, def. Julia Knie, 10-2.

Megan Mastel, MIT, def. Avery Tennant, 10-6.

Carsyn Weich, MIT, def. Laney Gonsor, 10-1.

Katie Morgan, MIT, def. Livia Douglas, 10-5.

Elly Clement, MIT, def. Reese Comstock, 10-4.

Matteah Graves, MIT, def. Riley O’Keefe, 10-1.

Doubles

Knie-Tennant, AC, def. Degan-Mastel, 10-3.

Weich-Clement, MIT, def. Gonsor-Douglas, 10-4.

Morgan-Graves, MIT, def. Comstock-Olivia Geier, 10-9 (9-7).

Aberdeen Central 6, Brandon Valley 3

Singles

Julia Knie, AC, def. Addison Meyers, 10-3.

Avery Tennant, AC, def. Keera Kriech, 10-4.

Melia Thelen, BV, def. Laney Gonsor, 10-6.

Livia Douglas, AC, def. Sophia Menden, 10-6.

Abby Boersma, BV, def. Reese Comstock, 10-4.

Reagan Morrell, BV, def. Riley O’Keefe, 10-6.

Doubles

Knie-Tennant, AC, def. Meyers-Thelen, 10-3.

Gonsor-Douglas, AC, def. Kriech-Boersma, 10-9 (7-2).

Comstock-Olivia Geier, AC, def. Menden-Morrell, 10-7.