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Roncalli closes out Milbank in tennis home opener

Aberdeen Roncalli’s Cason Hellwig returns a volley during a singles match against Milbank Monday at the Northern State University tennis courts. Photo by John Davis taken 5/6/2024

Aberdeen Roncalli finished what it started Monday morning at the Northern State tennis courts.

The Cavaliers did not drop a set, but had to dig deep at the end of multiple matches to secure a 9-0 victory over Milbank in their first home dual of the season.

“That’s kind of been the case all season long,” said Roncalli coach Jason Haskell. “There’s been a lot of close matches, even today we jumped out early in a lot of our singles matches in particular and then had a bunch of 7-6, 7-5, tight, close finishes, couple of tiebreaks to win it.”

Both coaches were pleased with the way their players battled to the end.

“Roncalli is a very solid team. I commend Jason with his program. It’s a great program up here in Aberdeen,” said Milbank coach Abbey Trapp. “I’m proud of my boys at the same time, for improving from the last time we played them, and getting some of the matches to the tiebreakers and just losing so close.”

Haskell was proud of the way the Cavaliers found a way to close out those close calls after the Bulldogs made things interesting.

“That’s the thing about playing tennis and sets. It’s just such a mind game. When you play pro sets, I think it’s easy for sometimes a kid to run away with it,” Haskell said. “Today, there was that chance when Milbank, some of those kids made a mind switch and they were starting to get back into it, and so it says a lot about our kids that they switched it around and they got ‘er done.”

One win was particularly satisfying for Roncalli as Cason Hellwig gained a measure of revenge on his opponent at top flight singles. Hellwig, who lost to the same foe at a tourney in Pierre on Saturday, was able to score a straight set win in the rematch.

“I think a lot of it was mental, just getting out of my head, staying confident, just focusing on my shots and what I can control,” Hellwig said.

The senior said he played a cleaner match this time around and eliminated some unforced errors.

“I did better just keeping the ball in, staying consistent,” Hellwig said. “On Saturday, it was a lot of mistakes, a lot of unforced errors on my end, and today I just kept the ball in and let him make the errors.”

Fellow senior Palmer Johnson continues to have a stellar season. He won his 16th match on the campaign with a straight set win at second flight singles.

Aberdeen Roncalli’s Palmer Johnson returns a volley during a singles match against Milbank Monday at the Northern State University tennis courts. Photo by John Davis taken 5/6/2024

“I think I’ve had a really good season so far. I’ve just been trying to have fun my last year,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve changed my style a little bit. I try and put away points a little faster, keep my balls a little bit deeper, and just sort of make them move.”

One thing that hasn’t changed is Johnson wearing sunglasses, even when it was cloudy and overcast.

“I feel like that’s kind of my trademark,” Johnson said. “It was kind of sunny when we got here.”

The singles matches at all of the other flights got a bit tight at the end.

Gannon May won the final four games of his match to close out the second set 7-5 at flight three. Landon Zikmund edged his opponent 7-5 in a second-set tiebreaker at flight four. Jayden Reecy won his second set by a 6-4 margin at flight five, and Ezra Feickert rallied late in the second set to force a breaker that he won at flight six.

As a result, the Cavaliers were able to record the shutout in their first home action of the spring.

“It’s really good to have fans that come out and support us. We’re lucky to have fans that do that,” Hellwig said. “It’s just good not to have to travel before a match. It wears you down, gets you tired.”

Roncalli, which is scheduled to host Brandon Valley and O’Gorman on Friday, is already gearing up for the Class A state tournament which runs Monday and Tuesday in Rapid City.

Johnson, who anticipates going in as the third seed, wants to close out his prep career on a high note.

“Like with any tournament, my goal is always to at least try to match my seed regardless of where that is,” Johnson said. “I really just want to try and finish strong, have fun with my last couple of matches, and hopefully maybe even get an upset here or there.”

The Cavaliers, who recently won five consecutive duals and are coming off a runner-up finish at the Governor Invitational in Pierre last weekend, are in a good spot, according to Haskell.

“We’re right where we need to be,” Haskell said. “That was proven in our second place finish down at Pierre, and I feel we’re poised to have a good state tournament, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Aberdeen Roncalli 9, Milbank 0

Singles

Cason Hellwig, AR, def. Joe Schulte, 6-2, 6-3.

Palmer Johnson, AR, def. Charles Whitesitt, 6-2, 6-1.

Gannon May, AR, def. Gregory Grabow, 6-1, 7-5.

Landon Zikmund, AR, def. Will Muellenbach, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5).

Jayden Reecy, AR, def. Daniel Shelstad, 6-1, 6-4.

Ezra Feickert, AR, def. Alex Baugh, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3).

Doubles

Johnson-May, AR, def. Schulte-Grabow, 6-3, 6-2.

Hellwig-Zikmund, AR, def. Whitesitt-Muellenbach, 6-1, 6-3.

Reecy-Will Haskell, AR, def. Shelstad-Baugh, 6-2, 6-2.

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