The Hi-Liner boys’ tennis team delivered an impressive performance at the Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) Individual Tournament, winning seven matches and securing two state qualifying opportunities. However, both Quin Kruger and the doubles team of Miles Taylor and Cole Haugen fell short in their respective qualifier matches.
Head Coach Matt Neilson expressed pride in the young team’s efforts, particularly highlighting freshman Kruger’s growth: “Quin adjusted his game to be as consistent as possible, which led to victory and a state qualifying match on Saturday. He faced Sheyenne’s Heick, one of the top players in the conference, and while Quin’s season ended there, it was a valuable experience for him and our entire team moving forward.”
Neilson also praised the doubles team of senior Miles Taylor and sophomore Cole Haugen: “Miles and Cole played at an incredibly high level in their match against Red River. They couldn’t quite secure the win, but their confidence grew after that match. In the state qualifier, the momentum shifted several times during the super tiebreaker, but Fargo North ultimately came out on top.”
The Hi-Liners will take a brief break before the girls’ team returns in 2025 to defend their state championship title.
Results for all Hi-Liners:
Quin Kruger
RD1: Lost to #8 Jason Ling (GFC) 6-0, 6-0
Cons RD1: Defeated Nate Wilson (FN) 6-2, 6-3
Cons RD2: Defeated Logan Nielsen (GFC) 7-6(4), 2-6, 10-6
Cons RD3: Defeated Matt Vandrovec (FN) 6-3, 6-1
State Qualifier: Lost to #6 Leighton Heick (Shey) 6-1, 6-0
Kellen Westman
RD1: Lost to #7 Eli Sandvik (FD) 6-0, 6-0
Cons RD1: Defeated Otto Balvitsch (FS) 7-6(8), 6-2
Cons RD 2: Defeated Zach Comings (Wahp) 6-3, 3-6, 11-9
Cons RD 3: Lost to Reid Johnson (FD) 6-4, 6-2
Matthew Holm
RD1: Lost to Zach Comings (Wahp) 6-1, 6-4
Cons RD1: Lost to Alex Buisan (SH) 6-1, 6-1
Miles Taylor/Cole Haugen
RD1: Defeated Schuler/Miller (Wahp) 6-0, 6-0
RD2: Lost to #3 Green/Bydal (RR) 6-4, 6-2
Cons RD2: Defeated Hoss/Anderson (FS) 6-2, 6-3
State Qualifier: Lost to Panwalker/Webb (FN) 6-2, 4-6, 10-6
Colin Hoff/Noah Tulp
RD1: Lost to #6 Burris/Webb (FN) 6-0, 6-1
Cons RD1: Lost to Hoss/Anderson (FS) 2-6, 6-2, 10-7