HARRISBURG -- The Eastern South Dakota Conference’s parity will be on display today.
The Mitchell High School boys tennis team will compete in the ESD tournament and coach Pat Moller said expect a handful of contenders.
“The ESD is the most wide open I have ever seen it,” Moller said. “I was talking to Watertown’s coach Ryan Zink during our dual (on May 7) and we both agreed, out of nine teams there’s probably six or seven of them that could win. It’s that close.”
The Kernels, who went 8-3 in ESD duals this season, will be among the contenders. They’ve defeated Brandon Valley, Pierre (twice), Aberdeen Central (twice), Yankton, Huron and Watertown this season. Mitchell split with Huron and Yankton, while it also lost to Harrisburg during the season.
“We just didn’t play very well against Harrisburg,” Moller said. “But Harrisburg would definitely not be at the top of the list if you were to rank the teams and their chances of winning. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The Kernels are coming off a split at their home triangular on May 7 against Watertown and Rapid City Stevens. They edged the Arrows (5-4) and dropped an 8-1 decision against the Raiders at Hitchcock Park. The Kernels and Arrows split their singles matches, while Mitchell went 2-1 in doubles play to earn the win at the triangular.
The Kernels were still without their No. 1 singles player Macon Larson, who remains sidelined with a nagging shoulder injury. Moller said his status for today’s conference meet is to be determined.
Moller praised the No. 1 doubles team of Jack Vermeulen and Tyler Loecker for their 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory against Watertown. Vermeulen was filling in at No. 1 doubles in place of Larson.
The No. 2 doubles team of Aidan Patrick and Connor Thelen picked up a 6-4, 6-3 win in their match. In singles action, Loecker (No. 2), Patrick (No. 3) and Luke Jerke (No. 6) picked up victories to help secure the conference victory.
It concluded a busy stretch for Mitchell, which had six competitions in nine days between April 29 to May 7. As a result, Moller gave the Kernels two days off before their home triangular.
“We came back with our tank filled up again and just went out and kind of loved the sport today and had a beautiful day to play tennis,” Moller said after the May 7 triangular. “It was just kind of nice to see them enjoy tennis today. I think our batteries are recharged and they are ready to go.”
The Kernels will also be looking to continue a recent trend of success at the ESD tournament.
“I think Mitchell has won five out of the last six tournaments at boys,” Moller said. “We do have a little bit of reputation that we want to defend and hopefully we can do that.”
ADVERTISEMENT
