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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The West Fargo Packers came to Valley City on a scorcher to take on the Hi-Liners in boys’ tennis yesterday.

Talking to Mr. Bratrud, our AD, before the match, he said that he will shut down the match if the heat index hit 105 and we would wait until it went below 105 to start again.

We as coached decided to go singles first instead of doubles so we would have more matches completed incase we didn’t finish with the heat.

After each singles match was a few games in, Mr. Bratrud called and we halted the match for about an hour with the heat index over 105.  West Fargo hung out on their air conditioned bus while we took in the C squad volleyball game at the HAC. 

After that, we did finish the entire match, but our last match was shortened to a 3rd set super-tiebreaker due to darkness.

Results:  VC Always First

VC 6

WF 3

Singles:

1.  Dalton Ondracek lost to Joe Beske 6-4, 6-3

2.  Brandon Miller beat Rishab Advani 6-1, 6-1

3.  Hunter Burchill beat Evan Poppenhagen 6-4, 6-2

4.  Riley Miller beat Mohammed Mohammed 6-0, 6-0

5.  Collin White lost to Pad Krassiseri 6-2, 6-2

6.  Liam Williams beat Het Menta 6-3, 6-2

Doubles:

1.  Ondracek/B.Miller beat Beske/Advani 6-0, 6-2

2.  Burchill/R.Miller beat Poppenhagen/Mohammed 6-4, 6-1

3.  Dempsey Williams/Zach Baumgartner lost to Krassiseri/Menta 2-6, 7-6(3), 10-5

JV:

Evan Haglund won three sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-0

Bennett Rogelstad won two sets 6-3, 6-1

Hale Kringlie/Austin Rogelstad won two sets 6-3, 6-0

Thoughts:

Even though we took WF 6-3 today, they’ll be a very different and stronger team at regionals in a 3-2 format.  We need to analyze this match to the fullest because we will possibly see them again.

Both teams suffered in the heat, but I do not think it was an overall factor in the match. Both sides were hot, but both played through it.

At #1, Dalton played some amazing tennis.  The level he was at today is not a level I’ve ever seen him at.  Beske is a great player that took out Red River’s #1.  There was nothing to hang your head about today and Dalton should be proud of how he lead our team today.

I lumped Brandon, Hunter, and Riley together against Wahpeton and its the same story today.  Smart play.  Getting to the net.  Enduring the rough spots and rising up.  Playing together as a team and for the team.  Keep it up, fellas!  Just as a side note, Brandon last season did not have a singles victory and now as 3 EDC victories in a row at #2 singles.  Crazy.

In doubles, our #1 and #2 rolled in both sets.  Our #3 did win the first set very handily.  In the second set, we got up and had a match point, but couldn’t pull it out.  We then ended up losing the match in the super tie-breaker.  This is Zach’s and Dempsey’s first year playing in varsity matches.  Sometimes these types of losses happen.  If these two can learn from it and come out stronger because to it, then it was worth it.  Make it worth it!

Liam continues to grow as a player.  He was challenged today and continued to improve and figure out how to play his opponent.  Collin had a rough day today.  It happens to all of us and we just need to learn and keep improving from those days.  

At the JV level, Evan, Bennett, Austin, and Hale swept every match.  All players played well, but I was able to watch a little more of Evan’s than the rest.  Evan is picking up his game and doing what the coaches want him to do on the court.

Last year, we had 1 EDC win and we already have 2 this year.  Also, we won a total of 14 individual EDC matches last year.  With four more EDC matches left to play as of today, we are already sitting at 19 individual EDC matches won. 

Next action is Tuesday at home versus Fargo North.  Fargo North clipped Sheyenne by one match and Sheyenne squeaked out the victory against us by winning the last two matches in three sets.  This matchup will be a big one to see where we really stand in the EDC.