The Hi-liner tennis team hit the road Monday and Tuesday for two EDC matches. Monday was a makeup from a match with Davies postponed on September 12th. Davies won that match 8-1. On Tuesday they took on Grand Forks Central and lost to the Knights 8-1.
Here are the results and Coach Nielson’s comments.
VC – 1
Davies – 8
Singles
#1 Blake Triebold beat Kareem Kamel, 6-3, 7-6 (2)
#2 Collin White lost to John Wuitshick, 6-3, 6-1
#3 Austin Rogelstad lost to James Simle-Askew, 6-1, 6-1
#4 Seth Zeltinger lost to Xander Hasbargen, 6-4, 6-4
#5 Derek Bear lost to Allen Wu, 6-1, 6-1
#6 Bennett Rogelstad lost to Alex Hella 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
Doubles
#1 Triebold/Zeltinger lost to Kamel/Wuitschick 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7)
#2 Rogelstad/White lost to Simle-Askew/Wanzek, 7-6(2), 6-2
#3 Kai Kringlie/Rogelstad lost to Hasbargen/Fleming, 6-3, 6-3
TUES.
VC – 1
GF Central – 8
SINGLES
#1 Blake Triebold lost to Gary Wu, 6-1, 6-1
#2 Collin White lost to Logan Sandberg 6-0, 6-2
#3 Austin Rogelstad lost to Ryder McDonald, 6-2, 6-2
#4 Seth Zeltinger lost to Evan Panzer, 6-0, 6-4
#5 Derek Bear lost to Kyle Staus, 6-1, 6-0
#6 Bennett Rogelstad beat Tyson Sporbert, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3
DOUBLES
#1 Triebold/Zeltinger lost to Wu/B. Panzer, 6-3, 6-4
#2 B. Rogelstad/White lost to McDonald/Chase Spicer, 6-3, 6-2
#3 Kai Kringlie/A. Rogelstad lost to Brad Flaten/ E.Panzer, 6-3, 6-1
Thoughts:
We are coming quickly to a close of our regular season. Our only match left is Red River on Thursday and then it is on to the post-season. Looking ahead, we will all be Fargo North fans on Thursday. If North beats Sheyenne, we will be the seven seed and will host Wahpeton in the play-in match on Monday. If Sheyenne, beats North we could possibly be the seven or eight seed depending on tiebreakers.
We played solid doubles again in both matches. Kai continues to become more comfortable at the net and putting balls away. He is also figuring out when to go for big shots and when to play consistent. Collin and Austin played very well in the first set against a hard hitter in Simle-Askew forcing a tiebreaker. Seth and Blake saved four match points against Davies in the third set tie-breaker before falling 7-9. They also played Wu and Panzer extremely tight, getting two to the net and attacking.
In singles, Blake was able to channel his frustration into sheer intensity against Kareem. Blake won the first set and was down 2-5, 0-40 in the second. He won four points in a row to win that game and then took the set to a tiebreaker before finishing the match. His intensity and focus on the court demonstrated against Davies was second to none.
Austin and Collin both are figuring out how to leave everything on the court. They have played four in a row of top notch players and will have a fifth on Thursday. Keep playing one point at a time and take what you learn into next week!
Seth is figuring out his singles game. He lost the first set 6-0 against Central. After deciding to take the net and playing to win, he went up 4-1 in the second set. We weren’t able to maintain that level to get to 4-1 and lost that set. Seth is a very good doubles player and I believe he can transfer that to singles with his height, serve, and athleticism. It is about getting to the net as soon as possible and forcing the issue with the opponent. We will get there!
Derek played some very good points, but his opponent was excellent at defense and very consistent. Derek attacked, stayed loose, and gave 100%. Derek reflected and knows that to become that next level player that his consistency needs to be improved (which is the case for almost all players!). Good job today, Derek.
Bennett had it in his mind that he choked against Fargo Davies. On deuce, he believed that he choked in his match against Central. BUT – something clicked on Tuesday in the third set. Bennett won the first set, lost the second set, and then was up 4-3 in the third; the perfect opportunity to choke. Bennett proved that he can rise above the situation and lay it all out there. In those last two games, Bennett’s footwork, shot selection, belief, confidence, and attacking were all on display. He took over the net on short balls and then hit solid winners at the net. He stepped into the ball and just played tennis. Congrats Bennett. The win is not what mattered today. What mattered was your growth that happened right on the tennis court that we were all able to watch!
Next action is against Red River at home at 4pm in the last regular season of the season.
