Unbeaten Hi-Liners March Into State Title Match 🏆🎾
EDC Tournement Champions - Valley City
The remarkable season for the Valley City Hi-Liners girls tennis team continued in dominant fashion as the Hi-Liners stayed unbeaten and advanced to the State Championship match, further cementing what has already become one of the most impressive seasons in program history.
Coming into the EDC Tournament as the No. 1 seed, Valley City backed up every bit of the hype, rolling through the bracket with authority. The Hi-Liners swept both Horace and Davies 5-0 before taking down Grand Forks Red River 4-1 in the championship dual to claim their second EDC title in the past three seasons.
Head coach Matt Neilson praised the consistency and composure his squad has shown throughout the postseason run.
“What a crazy awesome day and year,” Neilson said. “The Hi-Liners — a Class B school — waltzed into the EDC Tournament and went 14-1 in individual matches on the day.”
Valley City’s depth once again proved to be overwhelming for opponents. At singles, Georgia Zaun, Kailee Nielson, and Skye Nielson all delivered huge performances throughout the tournament, while the doubles pairings continued to shine under pressure.
Coach Neilson highlighted the resilience of his players in key moments, especially in tight matches where composure made the difference.
Georgia Zaun battled through a difficult semifinal matchup against Davies seventh grader Sadie Barnett after dropping the opening set.
“Georgia relaxed and got the train back on the tracks,” Neilson said after Zaun rallied to win the final two sets.
In the championship dual against Red River, Valley City’s stars delivered when it mattered most. Kailee and Skye quickly gave the Hi-Liners a 2-0 lead with commanding singles victories, while Georgia Zaun closed the door late in her match by winning the final three games of the second set to clinch the EDC Championship for Valley City.
One of the day’s biggest moments came from Kinlee Sufficool and Rylyn Johnson, who teamed together for the first time and responded with a thrilling three-set doubles victory.
“Rylyn and Kinlee never played better doubles,” Neilson said. “It was a thing of beauty.”
The Hi-Liners’ success this spring has been built on experience, chemistry, and years of development. Many of these athletes have spent countless hours working on their craft, and now the results are showing on the biggest stage.
Valley City now carries a perfect 15-0 record into the State Championship matchup next weekend May 28-30th in Grand Forks; still unbeaten and still looking every bit like the team to beat in North Dakota girls tennis.
Hi-Liner Tournament Stat Pack 📊
Valley City finished 14-1 in individual matches during the EDC Team Tournament
Defeated Horace 5-0 in quarterfinals
Defeated Davies 5-0 in semifinals
Defeated Grand Forks Red River 4-1 in championship dual
Improved overall record to 15-0
Claimed second EDC Championship in three seasons
Georgia Zaun earned the No. 2 seed in singles
Kailee & Skye Nielson earned the No. 1 seed in doubles
Kinlee Sufficool & Lexi Svenningsen earned the No. 7 doubles seed
