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FORKS, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City Hi-Liner girls tennis team dropped their first Eastern Dakota Conference match of the season against Grand Forks Red River yesterday afternoon. Valley City is now 1-1 on the season, while GFRR improves to 2-0.

Valley City 1

Red River 8 

Individual Results (VC always listed first):

Singles

1.  Maia Wendel lost to Shaelyn Johnson 6-0, 6-2

2.  Reagan Ingstad lost to Maddie Anderson 6-2, 6-4

3.  Breanna McDonald lost to Maddie Johnson 2-6, 6-1, 6-3

4.  Abby Ingstad lost to Anna Caoili 6-1, 6-2

5.  Cali Halgrimson lost to Lilli Pokrzywinski 6-1, 6-3

6.  Rachel Schueneman lost to Brook Kennelly 6-1, 6-1

Doubles

1.  Wendel/R.Ingstad lost to S.Johnson/Anderson 6-1, 6-1

2.  A.Ingstad/Shueneman lost to M.Johnson/Caoili 6-3,6-3

3.  McDonald/Halgrimson beat Kassidy Johnson/Isabel Krogh 7-6(1), 6-2

In doubles, Cali and Breanna have never played together before and pulled out the only win of the day. They are both pretty green on the doubles court, but they are following the pillars and learning quickly. Breanna is developing at the net and improving on her aggressiveness. What Cali lacks in experience, she more than makes up for it with heart and athleticism. These two are a very solid pair at #3 doubles. 

Rachel and Abby played a tight match at #2 doubles. I think both were surprised by how well they work together this year. My hope is that these two seniors can gel as a doubles team and continue to grow together. 

At one doubles, congrats to Shaelyn and Maddie as they are great players and played well today and deserved the win. Maia and Reagan had a rough match. Tennis is just as much mental as it is physical. Today, we let the enormity of this match and future matches weigh on us. I’m glad we had this match now so we can figure out our game sooner rather than later. We hit our first speed bump of the season and we will fight though it and become better because of it.

In singles, we had some very good play. Reagan settled in during the second set and played high level cerebral tennis. Maia was able to play in the moment in the second set and had great points with Red River’s #1. Abby is developing the only serve and volley game in the state which will work because opponents won’t figure out how to play her. Cali and Rachel are both playing consistent, smart tennis from the baseline with excellent racket prep and footwork. We have the defense and neutral game down. The next step is to switch to offense when the opportunity presents itself. 

Breanna took a set off of MJ and played the most varied and offensive game.  She played each point to win – being patiently aggressive.  She even came to the net on short balls! She is hitting winners, slice, moonballs, topspin, coming to the net – all while placing the ball with a purpose on every shot.  It was impressive to watch.  

Our next match is at West Fargo Sheyenne on Thursday.  Sheyenne lost to Red River 5-4 last Friday. We have one practice to make a few adjustments to play another great team.