Playing in front of their largest gallery of the regular season, Aberdeen Central defeated Aberdeen Roncalli during the Elliott Extravaganza at the Holgate Tennis Courts Saturday afternoon.

While the Golden Eagles won every flight against the Cavaliers, Central coach John Vogel pointed out the number of people who came out to watch the local athletes.

“We do love this day. We had a big crowd. This whole bleacher was full, we had people standing everywhere else. It was great to see so many people here,” Vogel said. “The scores may not reflect it, but great points were played here, so I’m hoping they really enjoyed what they saw and I’m sure they did.  They’re supporting their loved ones here, playing a great game of tennis.”

Matches all across the facility pitted players who know each other well, adding a unique twist to the dual.

When asked if the dual against a cross-town foe felt differently, Roncalli senior Raley Haskell responded, “Yeah, it does, just because I know the girls better and we play in city tournaments a lot together and closed tournaments, so yeah it does feel different.”

Haskell was hooked up in one of the tightest matches of the dual, facing Central’s Reese Comstock at third flight singles.

The two blasted hard-hit groundstrokes at each other to make for some memorable points.

“I just had to go for my shots, stay low and follow through,” Haskell said, “and just hit hard.”

Comstock appreciated the hard-hitting match and knew Haskell was going to battle the entire way.

“I knew she wasn’t going to just roll over and let me win at all. I knew she was going to be a tough opponent,” Comstock said. “She can hit the ball with a lot of power and a lot of consistency, so it was really honestly super fun to play her.”

That match was the final singles event before doubles started so it attracted plenty of attention.

“I don’t think it really registers with me that there’s that many people watching,” Comstock said. “A lot of them are my family, so I just try to play my best so that they’re proud.”

Earlier in the day, Central defeated Pierre 8-1 while Roncalli lost to Watertown 9-0.

Central honored six seniors on the day, including varsity members Julia Knie, Comstock, and Ashley Ortega.

“We have six posters hanging up here,” Vogel said. “It’s one of our largest classes we’ve ever had and they will be missed.”

Ortega is a recent addition to the program, having moved to Aberdeen from California two years ago. She said the playing conditions are a major difference, with California being much hotter and with much less wind. The sixth flight singles player found herself dealing with those windy elements on Saturday.

“Playing today definitely changed my perspective on how to play,” Ortega said.

She found a strategy that worked to her advantage.

“I like to hit flat when the wind is facing towards me,” Ortega said, “and then maybe add a little bit of top spin when I’m away from the wind.”

Ortega said she consults her teammates for advice, notably fellow senior Knie.

“I especially ask Julia how to play in the wind, since she’s obviously more experienced,” Ortega said. “She gave me some pointers. I took some of her pointers and it actually worked.”

Ortega, who plans to attend college in Arizona next year, has enjoyed her time at Central and said her game has developed and grown with the Golden Eagles.

“I just hope that my teammates do really well throughout the rest of the season,” Ortega said “and continue on our legacy as we leave as seniors.”

Roncalli plays Lennox and Milbank in a triangular at Milbank on Tuesday. Both Central and Roncalli will host Sioux Falls Christian on Saturday in their final home matches of the season.

Aberdeen Central 9, Aberdeen Roncalli 0

Singles

Julia Knie, AC, def. Katherine Kretchman, 6-0, 6-0.

Avery Tennant, AC, def. River Haskell, 6-1, 6-3.

Reese Comstock, AC, def. Raley Haskell, 6-3, 6-3.

Chloe Ladner, AC, def. Keira Rivett, 6-1, 6-3.

Sarah Knie, AC, def. Josie Mitzel, 6-0, 6-1.

Ashley Ortega, AC, def. Gianna Cihak 6-3, 6-2.

Doubles

J. Knie-Tennant, AC, def. Kretchman-Raley Haskell, 6-1, 6-1.

Comstock-Ladner, AC, def. River Haskell-Rivett, 6-2, 6-3.

Mady Holman-Estelle Riggs, AC, def. Mitzel-Cihak, 6-0, 6-2.

Aberdeen Central 8, Pierre 1

Singles

Julia Knie, AC, def. Bailey Jessen 10-0.

Avery Tennant, AC, def. Breanna Tedrow, 10-2.

Reese Comstock, AC, def. Elise Bowers, 10-7.

Chloe Ladner, AC, def. Amara Dell, 10-3

Sarah Knie, AC, def. Eliza Mayer, 10-1.

Adrian Hand, P, def. Ashley Ortega, 10-5.

Doubles

J. Knie-Tennant, AC, def. Jessen-Ella Fisk, 10-2.

Comstock-Ladner, AC, def. Tedrow-Dell, 10-3.

Mady Holman-Estelle Riggs, AC, def. Bowers-Mayer 10-1.

Watertown 9, Aberdeen Roncalli 0

Singles

Ellie Zink, W, def. Katherine Kretchman, 10-5.

Leyla Meester, W, def. River Haskell, 10-1.

Faith Berg, W, def. Raley Haskell, 10-5.

Sophia Nichols, W, def. Keira Rivett, 10-8.

Hannah Pasek, W, def. Josie Mitzel, 10-0.

Jade Smith, W, def. Gianna Cihak, 10-1.

Doubles

Zenk-Meester, W, def. Kretchman-Raley Haskell, 10-0.

Berg-Nichols, W, def. River Haskell-Rivett, 10-5.

Pasek-Smith, W, def. Mitzel-Cihak, 10-2.