From left to right are seniors Alex Rogelstad, Kai Kringlie, Max Magnuson, Trey Cope, Casey Kruger, and Gavin Swenson.

Submitted by Matt Nielson

Valley City, ND (NewsDakota.com) – The seniors played in their last home matches of their careers on Thursday against Grand Forks Central.

Results:  VC Always Listed First

VC 0

GFC 9

Singles:

1. Kai Kringlie lost to Evan Panzer 6-1, 6-3
2. Trey Cope lost to Cole Wilber 6-0, 6-1
3. Alex Rogelstad lost to Jason Ling 6-0, 6-1
4. Casey Kruger lost to Rylan Spicer 6-3, 6-2
5. Max Magnuson lost to Westin Nielson 6-3, 6-3
6. Gavin Swenson lost to Logan Nielson 6-1, 6-3

Doubles:

1. Kringlie/Cope lost to Panzer/Wilber 6-2, 6-3
2. Rogelstad/Miles Taylor lost to Ling/Hanson Du 6-2, 6-4
3. Magnuson/Jayden Johnson lost to Spicer/Gunner Spicer 6-1, 6-3

JV:

Colin Hoff/Matthew Holm lost 6-3

Quin Kruger/Cole Haugen lost 6-2

Jack Nadeau/Adrian Rivera lost 6-2

Emery Olson/Kellen Westman lost 6-3

Noah Tulp/Jon Koenig lost 6-3

Jacob Fritchie/Jared Burk lost 6-3

Tyler Kotta/Frichie lost 6-2

Olson/Holm lost 6-2

Haugen/Koenig lost 6-2

Burk/Rivera won 6-4

Nadeau/Kruger lost 6-2

Westman/Hoff won 7-5

Tulp/Kruger won 6-4

Coach’s Thoughts:

Grand Forks Central won the state title last year, but started slow this season. In their last two matches, they pushed the #1 team in the state with 4 three-setters and then went on to blank us 9-0. Even though they finished 4^th in the EDC, I would put them as the second best team in the state behind Red River heading into the region tournament next week.

We played all six of our seniors in our singles line-up today. These seniors have been with our coaching staff since they were 1^st graders attending our winter tennis camp. They have worked together and formed one of the best Hi-Liner line-ups in the last 18 years.

Senior Gavin Swenson played in his first ever EDC match and played very well. He was moving the ball with his groundstrokes and hitting consistent on his serve.  Gavin is a Hi-Liner through and through.  He loves tennis and his team, and his teammates love him as well. Coming off the court, Gavin was smiling. He followed our Hi-Liner pillars of sportsmanship, positive attitude, and 100% effort as best as he could – and he knew it.  He played a high level by following our pillars and he gave it all for his team.  Great job Gavin.

On the JV side, our players played the best matches of the season. Their belief in their strokes, movement at the net, and attitudes were all excellent which led to a high level of play. It is tough to single anyone out as I was impressed by them all. The JV has their last day on Saturday for the JV Regional Tournament in Fargo.

The Hi-Liners finished 9^th in the EDC and will play #8 Wahpeton on Monday at 4:30pm in the EDC play-in match.  If we win, we will enter the EDC tournament that Thursday against #1 Red River. If we lose, our team season is done and our players would play Friday in the individuals EDC tournament.