SIOUX FALLS – Aberdeen Central’s Mason Ligon beat an opponent for the first time in three attempts this season to finish fifth at second flight singles during the Eastern South Dakota Conference tennis tournament on Tuesday.

Harrisburg won the team title. The Golden Eagles finished eighth.

Like he did on Monday, Ligon overcame an early 0-3 deficit before he got on track.

“He’s kind of a streaky player,” said Central coach Trent Kurtz. “When things go good, things go really good; when things go bad, they kind of go bad. Unfortunately, they went bad early.”

However, it was a long point that Ligon lost that actually got him jump started.

“The point that changed the match was a point he lost. It was a point where he ran side to side about six times,” Kurtz said. “It was one of those the kid finally put it away, but the whole crowd applauded him. It was just an unbelievable effort play. Honestly, that was the momentum that changed the match. After that he was kind of into the match, and even though he lost the point, he was upbeat and then he played really well after that, and played a really good tiebreak.”

Ligon ended up winning the tiebreaker by a 7-4 margin to claim the consolation championship.

Ligon and AJ Prehn lost their in top flight doubles match, but it wasn’t for lack of effort.

The duo lost in the fifth place match 8-6, after holding a 6-4 lead.

“That was a tough loss,” Kurtz said. “They played really well. Honestly, the best match one doubles played all year.”

The match capped a strong ESD tourney for Central’s top two players.

“They both played great in singles,” Kurtz said, “and that was the best they’ve played doubles.”

Central travels to Watertown on Thursday for a dual, and then is set to host Brandon Valley and O’Gorman on Friday in what will be the only home matches of the year for the Golden Eagles.

“I’m hoping it doesn’t rain or anything,” Kurtz said. “We need a home match. It will be good for the kids.”

Team Points: Harrisburg 335, Yankton 310, Brandon Valley 209, Mitchell 184, Watertown 172, Pierre 28.5, Huron 19, Aberdeen Central 18.5, Brookings 12.

SINGLES

First Flight

AJ PREHN: lost to Jager Juracek, Mitchell, 8-2.

Second Flight

MASON LIGON: def. Luke Jerke, Mitchell, 9-7 (7-4). FIFTH PLACE.

Sixth Flight

GANNON PEDERSON: lost to Ozil Sharma, Harrisburg, 8-2.

DOUBLES

First Flight

AJ PREHN-MASON LIGON: lost to Curtis Sneden-Evan Meester, Watertown 10-5; lost to D. Moo-M. Hoo, Huron, 8-6.

Third Flight

DAWSON PEDERSON-BROCK ANDERSON: lost to Miles Krajewski-Ethan Marsh, Yankton, 10-3; lost to Sam Karst-Joey Meester, Watertown, 8-3.