Hi-Liner Tennis Sends a Message vs Fargo Davies
Valley City improves to 5–0 with statement win over Class A Davies
There was unfinished business on the court yesterday.
After Davies ended Valley City's run in the region tournament last fall, the Hi-Liners came out swinging — and didn't let up until the scoreboard read 9–0. Every singles match, every doubles match, Hi-Liner sweep.
"This is not normal," head coach Steve Nielson said. "Valley City, by sheer size, should not be competing with Davies and Sheyenne. Our players have put in the time, believe in themselves and each other, and play in the moment. What a win, ladies."
Match Results — VC 9, FD 0
Singles
Georgia Zaun def. Mia Hozak — 6-3, 6-0
Kailee Nielson def. Jaelynn Jackson — 6-0, 6-0
Skye Nielson def. Ellery Ames — 6-2, 6-1
Lexi Svenningsen def. Olivia Sandvik — 7-6(4), 6-2
Kinlee Sufficool def. Maya Larson — 6-3, 6-2
Cambrie Westman def. Ruby Smith — 6-1, 6-4
Doubles
K. Nielson / S. Nielson def. Hozak / Jackson — 6-1, 6-0
Zaun / Sufficool def. Sandvik / Larson — 6-1, 6-1
Svenningsen / Rylyn Johnson def. Ames / Mitchell — 7-6(5), 6-0
Inside the Match
The Nielson sisters set the tone. In doubles, Kailee and Skye returned cross-court and angled balls that set their partners up for winners at the net. They got "two up" most of the match and finished points with sharp volleys and overheads. In singles, Kailee didn't drop a game against an opponent who refused to quit. Skye got flustered at moments but dominated regardless.
Zaun and Sufficool took over the net in their doubles match, cruising behind well-placed volleys. In singles, Georgia worked her opponent up and back, while Kinlee — as usual — found a way to win against a different style of player.
Cambrie Westman stayed steady with her footwork and consistent attack. She won the first set, dropped some rhythm in the second, but never wavered and closed it out in straight sets.
Svenningsen and Johnson started slow in doubles — footwork, racket prep, anticipation, all off. They scrapped through a first-set tiebreaker 7-5, then put the train back on the tracks and didn't drop a game in the second. In singles, Lexi battled wind and a tricky slice, winning the first in a tiebreaker before going deeper with her shots to dictate the second.
Exhibition Highlights
The clutch gene runs deep on this team.
The exhibition match of the day went to Paige Tulp and Sara Beierle. Down 30–40 at 4-5, Sara hammered two first serves to hold. At double match point in a 5-5 deuce, she took the return and smoked a crosscourt winner that her opponent sent long.
Other exhibition wins came from Spencer Brown / Alizabeth Nelson (6-3), Sophie Gilbertson / Chloe Liebersbach (7-5 tiebreak), Beierle / Tulp (6-0, 6-5), Gilbertson / Nelson (6-1), Liebersbach in singles (6-2), and Beierle in singles (7-5).
Up Next
The Hi-Liners (5-0) host Fargo North on Thursday at 4 p.m.
Photo - Courtesy of Alyssa Thomsen Photography
