The Valley City Hi-Liner boy’s tennis teamed hosted the top ranked Red River Roughriders, for tennis appreciation night. The Hi-Liners partnered with the Valley City Tennis Association, and the North Dakota Army National Guard as members of the JV & Varsity teams along with their parents took part in the festivities.

Red River might’ve pulled off the sweep on the court, but Hi-Liner Head Coach Matt Neilson says events like this are more nuanced than who simply wins and loses; “Many of our players, JV and Varsity, went onto the court after the match and played for over an hour together. They were playing different games and having fun together. They have a love of the game and the love of each other.  Seeing those two things as a coach brings joy as a coach more than any win or loss.”

Neilson was also very complimentary of the Roughriders; “Red River is the number one team in the state. They played consistent high level tennis. What I appreciated is that their sportsmanship was superb throughout, and there coach Josh Lunak has done a great job with the program.”

The next match for Valley City will be Thursday at home against West Fargo Sheyenne.

 

Results: Valley City Listed First

Singles:
1. Miles Taylor lost to Aodh Murphy 6-0,6-0
2. Colin Hoff lost to Julian Mallory 6-2, 6-0
3. Quin Kruger lost to Asher Green 6-0, 6-0
4. Kellen Westman lost to Rylan Bydal 6-3, 6-0
5. Cole Haugen lost to Max Mecham 6-1, 6-1
6. Connor Liebersbach lost to Cullen Rost 6-1, 6-1

Doubles:
1. Taylor/Kruger lost to Mallory/Murphy 6-1, 6-0
2. Westman/Haugen lost to Green/Bydal 6-0, 6-1
3. Noah Tulp/Matthew Holm lost to Taye David/Kevin Martinez 6-1, 6-1