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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The West Fargo Sheyenne Mustangs came to Valley City yesterday for the first ever match-up between the Mustangs and Hi-Liners.

Results:  VC always listed first

VC 4

WFS 5

Singles:

1.  Dalton Ondracek lost to North Knewtson 6-2, 6-3

2.  Brandon Miller beat Kamden Baer 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(3)

3.  Hunter Burchill lost to Cameron Cook 6-4, 5-7, 6-4

4.  Riley Miller beat Kyle Toy 6-1, 6-1

5.  Collin White lost to Spencer Swartz 6-1, 6-0

6.  Evan Haglund lost to Tanner Hansen 5-7, 6-4, 10-3

Doubles:

1.  Ondracek/B.Miller lost to Knewtson/Baer 6-2, 6-4

2.  Burchill/R.Miller beat Cook/Swartz 6-2, 6-4

3.  White/Dempsey Williams beat Toy/Wagner 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-2

Thoughts:

We lost a heart-breaker 4-5 against West Fargo Sheyenne including the last two matches in 3rd sets.  It was the most exciting regular season match I’ve been a part of.  I hope that this match will give us the motivation for us to get over that hump!

Dalton at #1 singles and doubles had the deck stacked against him playing a two-time all state player and a favorite to win the state singles championship.  Dalton played him toe-to-toe in both singles and doubles.  Dalton stayed close to the baseline and hit offensive shots at every opportunity.  Dalton proved he can play with the best in the state today.  Keep that same style and mind-frame the rest of the season.

Brandon had a roller coaster ride in the doubles and followed that in the singles.  After playing the best set he’s ever played winning 6-1 in the first set, he came down off that high and lost the second set 4-6.  In the third set, he was down match point at deuce, 4-5 and had a 14 stroke exchange where both players were going for the win and Brandon won it on a top spin lob winner with his opponent at the net!  After that point, Brandon kept the momentum and finished the match.  Brandon’s singles match was the most complete match I’ve seen him play.  He worked his strengths and went for his opponent’s weaknesses and stayed under control.  Brandon played patiently aggressive and always played the right shot.  Today’s match was a thing of beauty!  Keep that rolling, Brandon!

Hunter Burchill played with Riley Miller at #2 doubles and had the match in hand from the start.  They had a little scare in the second, but squashed that out.  In singles, Hunter is still finding himself.  His love is for basketball and plays a ton of that year round.  I’ll take Hunter on the tennis court whenever I can get him because he is a very coachable player and a natural.  Hunter was frustrated with the close loss in singles, but I know he will continue to improve at a high rate throughout the season and peak at regionals when its win or go home time.  Riley is also a multi-sport athlete which makes him a good tennis player.  Today, Riley never let the foot off the gas pedal.  He put the ball away from his opponent, took over the net, and put the ball away.  It was a quick match – and a good one for Riley.

Dempsey and Collin had the longest match of the year.  They started at 4:30pm and did not finish their doubles match until about 7pm.  After splitting sets, we took an unorthodox break where we worked foot working drills in our allotted time.  Apparently it worked as we won the 3rd set 6-2!  Collin played a tough opponent that had been resting for over an hour before the match as Collin and Dempsey were still finishing their epic match.  

Evan Haglund played the best match I’ve seen him play.  He was moving, active, and attacking the net.  After splitting sets, we decided to play a super tie-breaker instead of the full 3rd set due to darkness.  Evan’s opponent took the match, clinching the meet for Sheyenne.  Congratulations to West Fargo Sheyenne for their first boys’ team tennis win ever!

Next action is Tuesday at Wahpeton with a 4pm start time.