The Valley City Hi-Liners swept past what proved to be a pesky Devils Lake squad as they picked up their first win.

The first set was close until the midway point, where Freshman Brynn Lueck opened up a comfortable advantage for the Hi-Liners with a 9-0 run with her consistent service. The Hi-Liners had the Firebirds down to set point 24-11, but Devils Lake launched a last-ditch run of their own, making it 24-20 before Kadie Kocka finally ended things with a kill from the left-hand side.

The second set featured an early 5-0 run by Devils Lake, who carried their late momentum from the first set into the early stages of the second set. Valley City would chip away and eventually pull themselves even as both sides proceeded to trade points. Valley City would manage to make it 24-20, but the Firebirds again wouldn’t make it easy rallying to make it 24-22. A heads-up play by Lueck hitting the ball over on two caught the Firebirds off guard and sealed the second-set victory for Valley City.

The third set opened up much like the first with both sides exchanging points with neither able to create any breathing room. Another late run would see Valley City take another 24-20 lead, but Devils Lake would complete the comeback, tying it at 24-24, forcing extras. Valley City thought they won the game after a wayward Devils Lake shot, but a late violation tied it up at 25-25. But Kocka would finally put Devils Lake away with a kill winning the third set 27-25 and sealing the win.

Valley City’s next game is on Monday, September 16th, and it can be heard on 1490 AM/ 96.3 FM KOVC.