Hi-Liners Keep Serving Notice Across the EDC
Photo courtesy of Alyssa Thomsen Photography
The Valley City Hi-Liners kept their unbeaten season rolling Friday, picking up victories over Dickinson and Mandan to improve to a perfect 9-0 on the year while also celebrating a major milestone for one of the program’s all-time greats.
Senior Kailee Nielson recorded her 150th career varsity victory during the doubleheader sweep, putting her just three wins away from passing Reagan Ingstad for the most career wins in VCHS girls tennis history.
Valley City opened the day with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Dickinson, a team Coach Nielson said “put out a perfect lineup to try to take us out.”
Dickinson loaded its doubles lineup behind standout singles player Shayna Klitzke in an effort to steal team points, but the Hi-Liners responded under pressure.
“Georgia and Shayna are both state title contenders and they proved it today,” Coach Nielson said after a marquee No. 1 singles battle that went to a super tiebreaker. “Shayna played a masterful first set, but Georgia came right back and put Shayna on her heels in the second.”
Kailee Nielson and Lexi Svenningsen quickly gave Valley City a 2-0 lead with dominant singles victories before the doubles teams closed things out. Kinlee Sufficool and Cambrie Westman teamed up for the first time and delivered a clutch win at No. 2 doubles, surviving a late Dickinson rally after leading the super tiebreaker 8-2.
“A Sufficool winner down the line sealed the victory for the Hi-Liners,” Nielson said.
At No. 1 doubles, Skye Nielson and Rylyn Johnson rallied after dropping the opening set to defeat the Daley sisters in another super tiebreaker.
“In the super, we out-grinded them with better belief and footwork,” Coach Nielson said. “Nice win.”
The Hi-Liners followed that performance with a dominant 5-0 sweep over Mandan later in the day.
Georgia Zaun and Kailee Nielson controlled the top singles spots, while Cambrie Westman battled through another tight match at No. 3 singles, winning in a second-set tiebreaker.
“Cambrie has improved so much and has even more potential,” Nielson said. “Racquet prep, anticipation, and follow through are all good, but close to being great.”
The doubles teams continued Valley City’s strong play. Skye Nielson and Sara Beierle adjusted after a competitive opening set before cruising in the second set, while Lexi Svenningsen and Kinlee Sufficool showed strong chemistry in their first time pairing together.
“Kinlee’s understanding of the game keeps improving,” Nielson said. “Lexi split-stepped and blocked back several balls that would have ate her up before.”
Now sitting at 9-0, the Hi-Liners head into the loaded Sheyenne Invite with confidence and momentum. Kailee Nielson and Skye Nielson enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the top doubles bracket, while Georgia Zaun earned the No. 3 seed in the top singles bracket.
