🏆 Historic Run: Hi-Liners Finish as State Runner-Up After Undefeated Season

The Valley City Hi-Liner girls tennis team may not have brought home the state championship trophy Thursday afternoon, but that does little to diminish what was one of the most remarkable seasons in program history.

After failing to qualify for the state tournament a year ago, the Hi-Liners responded in emphatic fashion during the 2026 season, storming through the regular season undefeated and advancing all the way to the North Dakota State Team Tennis Championship before ultimately falling to powerhouse Minot, 4-1.

For Head Coach Matt Nielson, the accomplishment goes far beyond one final score.

"To get by Century in the semifinals to make the championship was an amazing achievement and all these Hi-Liners should be proud of their accomplishments," Nielson said. "This was a historic season."

Strong Start Against St. Mary's

Valley City's state tournament began with a quarterfinal matchup against Bismarck St. Mary's, a team that had fought through a difficult regional path just to earn its place in the state field.

The Hi-Liners leaned on their greatest strength all season—their singles lineup.

Georgia Zaun, Kailee Nielson, and Skye Nielson all dominated their matches, dropping just three total games combined while securing straight-set victories. Their performances quickly put Valley City in control of the dual.

At No. 2 doubles, Cambrie Westman and Sara Beierle battled through three sets to secure another team point. After splitting the first two sets, the duo settled in and finished strong in the deciding set.

"This was Cambrie's and Sara's first match ever at state and they capitalized with a win," Nielson said. "Congrats!"

The lone loss came at No. 1 doubles, where Lexi Svenningsen and Kinlee Sufficool rallied from a first-set setback to force a super tiebreak before falling 12-10.

Despite the loss, the Hi-Liners had secured a 4-1 victory and advanced to the state semifinals.

Championship Berth Earned Against Century

Standing between Valley City and the championship match was Bismarck Century.

The dual quickly developed into the tightly contested battle many expected.

Kailee Nielson once again delivered a dominant performance at No. 2 singles, cruising to a straight-set victory. Meanwhile, Skye Nielson authored one of the most dramatic wins of the tournament.

After dropping a first-set tiebreak, Skye responded with an aggressive mindset that completely changed the match.

"When Skye attacks and is confident, she can challenge anyone in the state," Coach Nielson said. "In the next two sets, Skye dictated points and was on the attack more frequently."

Her three-set comeback victory gave Valley City a critical point and set the stage for Georgia Zaun.

Facing Century standout Jenny Pitcher, Zaun delivered what her coach considers one of the finest performances he has ever witnessed.

"Watching, I realized that Georgia is the best girls singles player that I have ever coached," Nielson said. "Georgia was hitting hard, but also hitting with so much depth, consistency, and placement. Georgia never mentally waivered. She stayed the course and won the match to send us to the state championship."

Zaun's victory clinched the dual and punched Valley City's ticket to the state title match.

Minot Proves Too Much

Awaiting the Hi-Liners was an equally undefeated Minot squad—the defending state champions.

The championship matchup felt familiar. The two programs had also met in the 2024 state championship match with unbeaten records entering the finals.

This time, Minot showcased the depth that has made them one of the state's premier programs. The Magicians adjusted their lineup and featured elite talent throughout singles and doubles play.

Kailee Nielson provided Valley City's lone point, dominating her match at No. 2 singles with a convincing 6-2, 6-0 victory.

Despite the final score, Nielson was proud of how his team competed.

"The girls left everything on the court. They worked their tails off and had great attitudes and sportsmanship," he said. "Sometimes you can give your all and still fall short of a goal and that is okay."

A Season for the Record Books

The loss brought an end to Valley City's undefeated team season, but it could not erase what this group accomplished.

The Hi-Liners reached the state championship match without suffering a loss all season. They shattered the program record for individual victories, surpassing the previous mark by 23 wins, and re-established themselves among the state's elite programs.

Perhaps even more encouraging, many of the players contributing in key roles are underclassmen. Eighth-grader Cambrie Westman and freshman Lexi Svenningsen gained invaluable state tournament experience that should pay dividends in the future.

Yet the story of this team is not finished.

At the conclusion of the team tournament, Coach Nielson quickly shifted focus toward the individual state tournament.

"We won't get sentimental yet as we still have unfinished business," Nielson said. "Here we go!"

For a program that went from missing state a year ago to finishing as state runner-up, the future remains exceptionally bright.

And regardless of what happens in the individual tournament, the 2026 Hi-Liners have already secured their place among the greatest teams in Valley City tennis history.