PIERRE – Playing with two new members in the varsity lineup Aberdeen Central held its own against Pierre before eventually falling 5-4 in Eastern South Dakota Conference tennis action on Thursday.

“It was a really fun dual,” said Central coach Trent Kurtz. “Very competitive, lot of energy and lot of excitement throughout the day.”

Kurtz said the dual, which featured three super-tiebreakers, was good for his squad “just to kind of get used to playing in tight matches and playing pressure points, that kind of stuff.”

The Golden Eagles had two players competing at the varsity level for the first time: Carson Goethals at second flight singles, and Josiah Grandpre at flight six singles.

“They really played well,” Kurtz said.

Goethals had two match points before falling 11-9 in a super.

“He did not do anything to lose it,” Kurtz said. “The other kid played perfect the last four points.”

Grandpre lost only three games on the way to his straight-set win. Kurtz said he kept his composure on the way to the victory.

“He did not act like it was his first varsity match,” Kurtz said.

Meanwhile, junior AJ Prehn played a role in two victories, both in super breakers. He pulled out a 10-4 win in a super at top flight singles. Despite, trailing 5-2 to start match, Prehn regrouped for the win.

“He had a really good day,” Kurtz said. “He’s our one guy who has been around the block, so in those tight matches I fully trust him.”

Prehn then teamed with Mika Dannen for a win at top flight doubles. Kurtz noted that the two changed their mindsets following a 6-1 loss in the second in order to secure a 10-7 win in the super.

Central’s other victory came at flight three doubles where Dawson Pederson and Aric Tennant lost just two games total.

“Three doubles played really well,” Kurtz said. “We’ve been spending a lot of time on doubles movement and learning how to play doubles, and those two played really well in that, so that was good to see.”

Central heads to Huron on Saturday for a triangular with the Tigers and Mitchell.

Pierre 5, Aberdeen Central 4

Singles

AJ Prehn, AC, def. Devin Dodson, 2-6, 6-4, (10-4).

Lucas Hight, P, def. Carson Goethals, 4-6, 6-2, (11-9).

Jacob Leiferman, P, def. Dawson Pederson, 7-5, 6-3.

Weston Northrup, P, def. Aric Tennant, 6-4, 6-3.

Brady Lowery, P, def. Mika Dannen, 6-4, 6-3.

Josiah Grandpre, AC, def. Levi Hight, 6-0, 6-3.

Doubles

Prehn-Dannen, AC, def.  Lucas Hight-Leiferman, 6-1, 1-6, (10-7).

Dodson-Northrup, P, def. Goethals-Wyatt Kiesz, 6-1, 6-1.

Pederson-Tennant, AC, def. Lowery-Marty Blanchette, 6-2, 6-0.