PIERRE – Aberdeen Central opened its tennis season by facing foes at the opposite ends of the spectrum.

The Golden Eagles were blanked by power Rapid City Stevens 9-0, before shutting out a young Spearfish squad 9-0 during a tournament in Pierre on Friday.

Central had a couple of opportunities to break through against Stevens, but fell short in a pair of tiebreakers.

“It’s always fun to start our season with a perennial tennis powerhouse,” said Central coach John Vogel, “and had we won one of the tiebreakers, it would’ve been really fun.”

The tandem of Julia Knie and Avery Tennant fell at first flight doubles in a tiebreaker 7-4.

“One dubs fell down 1-6 before they went on a run to make it very close,” Vogel said. “We missed a put away at 4-4 in the breaker that I know they want another crack at. That match was an exciting way to start the day.”

The dual was also the varsity debut for seventh-grader Sarah Knie. She fell in a tiebreaker 7-5.

“Sarah Knie’s first varsity singles match got off to a great start. She was up early and was able to build a 9-6 lead before nerves set in, and she learned that the hardest game to win is the last,” Vogel said. “But for a 12-year-old she was very composed.”

The Golden Eagles also lost a pair of matches 10-6.

Despite the setback, Vogel looked at the positives.

“The 0-9 result was helpful is the aspect that we know what to work on this week in practice,” he said.

Central then dominated each of the nine matches against Spearfish to conclude its day.

“As for Spearfish, they are a young and upcoming team,” Vogel said, “and I was glad to see after the three-hour break, we were able to take care of business.”

The Eagles are right back at it again today taking on Rapid City Central and Rapid City Christian.

Rapid City Stevens 9, Aberdeen Central 0

Singles

Arabella Scott, RCS, def. Julia Knie, 10-2.

Sylvie Mortimer, RCS, def. Avery Tennant, 10-6.

Ella Potvin, RCS, def. Reese Comstock, 10-1.

Madison Marsh, RCS, def. Chloe Ladner, 10-1.

Bella Nelson, RCS, def. Sarah Knie, 10-9 (7-5).

Brooke Ladwallader, RCS, def. Ashley Ortega, 10-2.

Doubles

Mortimer-Potvin, RCS, def. J. Knie-Tennant 10-9 (7-4).

Scott-Elena Braun, RCS, def. Comstock-Ladner, 10-2.

Nelson-Marsh, RCS, def. Ortega-Mady Holman, 10-6.

Aberdeen Central 9, Spearfish 0

Singles

Julia Knie, AC, def. Allie Mondloch, 10-1.

Avery Tennant, AC, def. Lydia Schutz, 10-1.

Reese Comstock, AC, def. Kim Heisler, 10-1.

Chloe Ladner, AC, def. Elena McCabe, 10-1.

Sarah Knie, AC, Calisa Alderson, 10-1.

Ashley Ortega, AC, def. Liberty Herway, 10-2.

Doubles

J. Knie-Tennant, AC, def. Mondloch-Schutz, 10-3.

Comstock-Ladner, AC, def. Heisler-McCabe, 10-0.

Ortega-Mady Holman, AC, def. Alderson-Herway, 10-3.