In a season marked by the Hi-Liners’ string of dominant victories, this clash with the Rough Riders was a crucial test for Valley City as they aimed to fend off a potential upset.

Like they have all year, the Hi-Liners dominated doubles play, taking all three matches. After dominating the first set, Breck Sufficool and Abby Martineck came from behind to win the last two games in the second set to take the straight-sets win (6-1, 7-5). The team of Kailee Neilson and Georgia Zaun rolled to a pair of comfortable set wins to take their match (6-0, 6-2), while Skye Neilson and Alyssa Thomsen rallied after dropping the first set to win the second and third sets in commanding fashion (4-6. 6-1, 6-1). With those three wins, the Hi-Liners now sit an astounding 20-1 in doubles competition this year.

Despite the Hi-Liners’ dominance in doubles play, Red River secured four of the five games in singles competition. The lone winner for Valley City in singles play before the final matchup was Georgia Zaun, who continued to impress with her consistent performance. She secured another dominant win, only dropping two games in her match and defeating Naomi Rahman in straight sets (6-0, 6-2).

The winner would be decided in the day’s top singles matchup between Hi-Line sophomore Kailee Neilson and Red River junior Addison Lommen. In a back-and-forth battle that saw multiple lengthy rallies, the match would be determined by who could physically outlast the other. After two grueling sets that saw both sides picking up a win, Neilson would run away with the third and final set to propel the Hi-Liners to a 7-0 record on the year.

Head coach Matt Neilson commented on his team’s performance: “Our team continued to support each other by watching and cheering all throughout the day. All we can control are our pillars, even when we don’t play our best. Sometimes, we can get in our own heads, but our team supports each other and lifts each other up.”

The Hi-Liners will play two matches against Mandan and Dickinson this Friday before heading to Fargo on Saturday for the Sheyenne Invitational tournament. Their next EDC matchup will be Tuesday, March 14th, against West Fargo Sheyenne.

 

Results: Valley City listed first

Valley City 5

Red River 4

 

Singles:

1. Kailee Nielson defeated Addy Lommen 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1

2. Abby Martineck lost to Dana Chahal 7-5, 4-6, 7-5

3. Georgia Zaun defeated Naomi Rahman 6-0, 6-2

4. Skye Nielson lost to Maddy Nelson 7-6(2), 6-1

5. Ella Olson lost to Ruby Schneider 6-3, 6-2

6. Lexi Svenningsen lost to Kalli Block 6-2, 6-2

 

Doubles:

1. Breck Sufficool/Martineck defeated Lommen/Schneider 6-1, 7-5

2. K. Nielson/Zaun defeated Nelson/Block 6-0, 6-2

3. S. Nielson/Alyssa Thomsen defeated Lauren Endres/Elizebeth Kilgore 4-6, 6-1, 6-1

 

Photos courtesy of Brent Thomsen.