Oct. 8—MITCHELL — Beaming with confidence and anticipation, the Mitchell girls tennis team is ready for Thursday to arrive.
The Kernels will compete in the Class AA state tennis championship on Oct. 10-11 in Rapid City following a successful year. Mitchell took home the Eastern South Dakota Conference championship last week in convincing fashion, winning six of the nine flights for the event.
For an experienced group the Kernels have on this year’s roster, the ESD meet was a successful test for how the girls handled pressure tennis, given the tournament-style format used similar to the state meet.
“We kind of went into that tournament with a bullseye on our back,” Kernel tennis head coach Pat Moller said. “There were a lot of individuals and teams that were marking us on the bracket and saying, ‘We need to end those matches,’ and our girls came through really well.”
Mitchell posted a 15-2 dual record this season in addition to the ESD title and a second-place finish at the Rapid City Invitational on Aug. 30, won by host Rapid City Stevens, which Moller marked as the team to beat at the state tournament, along with defending champion Sioux Falls Lincoln.
Throughout the season, the team has relied on past experiences, especially in matches that might’ve proven too tough to handle in the past. Each Kernel tennis player had moments to shine in tough spots, only adding to the exuberance the team is feeling ahead of the state meet.
“A lot of us showed courage in different situations,” sophomore Matteah Graves said. “We overcame things that we said we never could, and now going into state, we can imagine those situations again and look back and know we can do this, and we will have success and each other’s backs.”
Graves is part of a trio of sophomores on the Kernels who’ve been integral to the team’s success in 2024. At No. 5 singles, she sports a 22-3 match record, having only dropped four sets all season. Mia Larson is 21-2 at No. 6 singles, and Katie Morgan is 16-7 at No. 3 singles.
Noting their previous state tournament experience, their maturity displayed on the court has been a big boost to the Kernels, while striving for continued success in the years to come.
“They’re great teammates,” Moller said about the trio. “They’re just a lot of fun to be around, they work hard and they just want to get better at this sport. … They know how to push each other and bring out the best in each other.”
At the top of the flight chart, Megan Mastel is 15-8 in her first season at No. 1 singles, followed by Carsyn Weich, who is 21-3 in her senior season at No. 2 singles. Fellow senior Elly Clement is 18-3 at No. 4 singles. They, along with everyone on the Kernels have worked on their first serve percentage in order to not add pressure on a second serve, with nerves going to factor in at state.
In addition to keeping themselves in the right frame of mind going into matches, the Kernel tennis players have also been a positive reassurance to each other leading up to the state tournament. They’re also helping one another realize their potential on the court.
“It’s reminding everyone how good they are because that’s one thing we all forget is how talented we really are,” Mastel said. “They just forget that a lot of days, and when we’re reminded of that, they seem to really play up to (their competition). Keeping each other up is a really big part of winning.”
Overall, the regular season has taught Mitchell much about themselves and each other on the court. Moller will be looking for the girls to elevate their focus and intensity in pressure situations they’ll face both Thursday and Friday out in Rapid City, while also remembering to be in the moment.
“They are truly best friends, and I think that’s what makes this team so special,” Moller said. “I hope they remember the importance of competing and just being a part of something special because this is something special that we have done this year.”
“These girls have taught me how loving people can be and how you can support each other no matter what happens,” Mastel added. “That’s one thing I will take with me and I will try and bring to other people as they have brought to me.”
