RAPID CITY – The Aberdeen Central tennis team is right where it wants to be heading into the final day of the Class AA State Tennis Tournament on Thursday.

The Golden Eagles are currently sitting in 10th place in team points, with chances to add to that total when action resumes today.

“We knew we’d be around the 10-12 area,” said Central coach Trent Kurtz, “so being in 10th right now is a good day.”

The Golden Eagles got a big win at second flight singles where Mason Ligon defeated his foe in two tough sets, one in a tiebreaker, during the opening round. He and his Mitchell foe had split two matches during the season.

“That was an awesome win,” Kurtz said. “Obviously, probably our highlight.”

He said that Ligon keeps getting better each time out.

“He’s so quick. He’s got good reflexes, too,” Kurtz said. “He can run down so many balls. He made the Mitchell kid hit extra balls multiple times, played some great defense. He played the big points really well.”

Another highlight on the day came at flight five singles where Mika Dannen rallied for a consolation win.

Dannen trailed 9-6 in the 10-game pro set before taking complete control, winning the last three games to force a tiebreaker, which he dominated by a score of 7-0.

“That’s awesome, happy for him. He kept fighting,” Kurtz said. “It might not have been the prettiest match for much of the match, but played well down the stretch and didn’t quit. He just kept competing.”

Kurtz also pointed out that the top flight doubles tandem of AJ Prehn and Ligon defeated a foe in consolation action that they had lost to earlier this season.

“AJ and Mason returned the ball really well,” Kurtz said.

Central has numerous players in action today.

“We’ve got some chances for some more points (Friday),” Kurtz said, “but overall a really good day and see if we can rack up some more points (Friday).”

Team Points: Sioux Falls Lincoln 360, O’Gorman 316, Sioux Falls Washington 269, Harrisburg 239, Yankton 204, Watertown 176, Mitchell 145, Rapid City Stevens 135, Brandon Valley 130, Aberdeen Central 49.5, Sioux Falls Jefferson 33, Brookings 23, Rapid City Central 19, Sioux Falls Roosevelt 0.

SINGLES

First Flight

AJ PREHN: lost to Zachary Briggs, Yankton, 6-2, 6-1; def. Braylon Peters, Brookings, 10-6.

Second Flight

MASON LIGON: def. Luke Jerke, Mitchell, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4); lost to Drew Gohl, Sioux Falls Lincoln, 6-0, 6-0.

Third Flight

DAWSON PEDERSON: lost to Christopher Rockne, Yankton, 6-2, 6-0; bye.

Fourth Flight

ARIC TENNANT: lost William Jensen, Brandon Valley, 6-1, 6-1; def. Kieran Furhmann, Rapid City Central, 10-0.

Fifth Flight

MIKA DANNEN: lost to Levi Loken, Mitchell, 6-0, 6-1; def. Peyton Taylor, Rapid City Central, 10-9 (7-0); def. Grismer-Walter, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 10-6.

Sixth Flight

GANNON PEDERSON: lost to Ozil Sharma, Harrisburg, 6-3, 6-1; lost to Andrew Hahn, Brookings, 10-6.

DOUBLES

First Flight

AJ PREHN-MASON LIGON: lost to Woidyla-Eszlinger, Brandon Valley, 6-3, 6-0; def. Griffin-Knickrehm, Rapid City Central, 10-4; def. Grismer-Walter, Sioux Falls Jefferson 10-6.

Second Flight

ARIC TENNANT-MIKA DANNEN: lost to Rockne-Mueller, Yankton, 6-0, 6-1; bye; lost to Erickson-Kemmis, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 10-6.

Third Flight

DAWSON PEDERSON-BROCK ANDERSON: lost to Jensen-Mckeown, Brandon Valley, 6-3, 6-1; def. Tieszen-Hoier, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, 10-2; lost to Vanderwater-Kemmi, Sioux Falls Jefferson, 10-4.