VALLEY CITY, N.D. — The Valley City Hi-Liners found themselves in yet another nail-biter Tuesday, falling just short in a 5-4 loss to Fargo Davies in Eastern Dakota Conference play.

“These are the matches you learn and grow from,” head coach Matt Nielson said. “We came out firing in doubles, but Davies responded, and we couldn’t quite hold on in all the super tiebreakers.”

The Hi-Liners stormed out to win the first set in all three doubles matches before Davies responded to force super tiebreakers at each position. Valley City held on to win two of those three to carry a 2-1 lead into singles.

At No. 1 doubles, Kailee and Skye Nielson delivered a statement win over Davies’ Tanis Lee and Maddie Wanzek, prevailing 6-3, 1-6, 10-6.

“They attacked better today, picking off balls in the middle,” Nielson said. “It was a huge win.”

In singles, Kailee kept up the momentum, controlling her match from the outset to defeat Ariel Bahn 6-2, 6-1.

“Kailee is starting to see the court, find spots, and attack instead of just counterpunching,” Nielson said.

Skye dropped her singles match to Lee, a state placewinner from last season, but showed signs of a breakout.

“She’s starting to unlock her potential with footwork and motor,” Nielson said. “The next step is belief, attitude and confidence.”

Georgia Zaun once again delivered at No. 2 singles and doubles. After teaming with Sara Beierle for a clutch 7-5, 3-6, 10-6 win at No. 2 doubles, she followed it up with a straight-set singles win over Grace Qnazek, finishing it off with a composed deuce point at 5-4.

“Georgia showed great tennis IQ with her shot selection,” Nielson said. “She led the way in doubles and dominated that first set in singles.”

Beierle started strong in singles, going up 4-1, but couldn’t hold off Ava Eslinger in a 6-4, 6-0 loss. Still, Nielson noted continued improvement.

At No. 3 doubles, eighth grader Lexi Svenningsen and first-year player Rylyn Johnson raced through the first set 6-1 but couldn’t hold off a Davies comeback in a narrow 1-6, 6-3, 10-8 loss.

“These two give everything they have,” Nielson said. “We’re making correctable mistakes, and they have the mindset to keep getting better.”

In singles, Svenningsen staged a gutsy comeback, saving match points to take the second set 7-5 before falling in the super tiebreaker. Liebersbach struggled on the day, dropping both her singles and doubles matches.

“Tennis is as much mental as it is physical,” Nielson said. “Chloe is only an eighth grader, and she’s doing well — she cares and is learning every match.”

With the loss, Valley City falls to 2-4 in the EDC. The Hi-Liners are back in action Wednesday against Fargo North at Elephant Park and then host Fargo South on Thursday.

Results
Fargo Davies 5, Valley City 4

Singles

1. Tanis Lee (FD) def. Skye Nielson 6-3, 6-3

2. Georgia Zaun (VC) def. Grace Qnazek 6-0, 6-4

3. Kailee Nielson (VC) def. Ariel Bahn 6-2, 6-1

4. Mia Hozak (FD) def. Lexi Svenningsen 4-6, 7-5, 10-6

5. Ava Eslinger (FD) def. Sara Beierle 6-4, 6-0

6. Olivia Sandvik (FD) def. Chloe Liebersbach 6-2, 6-1

Doubles

1. Nielson/Nielson (VC) def. Lee/Wanzek 6-3, 1-6, 10-6

2. Zaun/Beierle (VC) def. Bahn/Hozak 7-5, 3-6, 10-6

3. Svenningsen/Rylyn Johnson (VC) lost to Laidlaw/Jackson 1-6, 6-3, 10-8