VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – It may have been first game jitters or just a slow start, but Valley City need nearly two sets to get it going before coming from down 2-0 to beat Grand Forks Red River 3-2 in the season opener for both teams.

The Hi-Liners won 15-25, 20-25, 25-14,25-18, 20-18.

Red River jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the opening set amd ha not problem in the first set winning 25-15. There was a similar start in the second set, then late in the set with the Riders up 19-9, Valley City would go on a 10-2 run to get within two at 21-19. But Red River would getsix of the last seven points for the 25-20 win.

The Hi-Liners would carry that over to the rest of the match. They got off to a good start jumping out to an 11-4 run. That lead would expand to 19-8 as the Hi-Liners would win 25-14in the set.

The third set started out similar to the third set with the Hi-Liners up 12-6. But Red River would score five in a row to make it 12-11. Then the Riders extended that run to 10-1 to take a 16-13 lead. But Valley City turned it on and went on a 12-2 run to end the set 25-18 to win and force a fifth set.

In the fifth set, it looked like the Hi-Liners ran out of steam, Red River would jump out to a 6-1 lead. But the Hi-Liners would not be denied in this one. They would tie the game at 10, then Red River would go back up 12-10. From then on it was back and forth with neither team able to put the other away until Valley City scored the last three points to win 20-18.

Offensively, the Hi-Liners were led by Jadyn Dieterle with 18 kills and two service aces. Lexi Leroux had the double-double with 13 kills and a team high 34 digs. Peyton Pederson had five kills but was 23-24 at the service line with seven aces. As a team, the Hi-Liners hit on 93% of their serves with 12 aces. Dylann Diegel added 33 set assists. Defensively, Jocey Kriewald had 26 digs.

For Red River, Kaylee Lancaster led the way with 15 kills. Jasmine Sondrol added 12 and Avery Dusterhoft had seven. Ashlee Welch had 29 assists and was 32-32 serving with two aces. As a team, the Riders hit on 95% of their serves with four aces.

The Hi-Liners, now 1-0 overall and 1-0 in the EDC, will host Grand Forks Central on Thursday night at the Hi-Liner Activity Center. That match can be heard on 1490 AM/96.3 FM KOVC and video streamed live at newsdakota.com.