VALLEY CITY, N.D. — With their postseason fate hanging in the balance, Valley City’s girls tennis team delivered under pressure, securing a critical 6-3 win over Horace in the final Eastern Dakota Conference (EDC) match of the season on Thursday.

The victory elevated the Hi-Liners to the No. 4 seed for next week’s EDC tournament and spared them from a play-in match. A loss or narrow 5-4 win would have dropped them into a three-way tiebreaker with Shanley and Horace, placing them sixth.

“Our players showed up big time today,” said head coach Matt Nielson. “We needed a 6-3 win to clinch the tiebreaker and avoid the play-in match — and that’s exactly what we got.”

Seniors Madison Nelson and Rachael Belgard were honored on Senior Night, and the Hi-Liners responded with one of their most complete team efforts of the season.

The Nielson sisters, Skye and Kailee, pulled out a thrilling comeback at No. 1 doubles. After dropping the first set 4-6, they stormed back with a dominant 6-1 second set. In the deciding super tiebreak, they trailed 1-4 before winning the final nine points to seal the match.

“That kind of resilience is rare,” said Coach Nielson. “They believed in themselves and turned it around in the biggest moment.”

The sisters improved to 14-1 in doubles this season and are in position for the top seed in the EDC doubles tournament — unless Sheyenne’s Gu and Durrani opt to reunite.

Kailee also cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win in singles, capping a perfect 12-0 regular season. Skye faced one of the toughest opponents of her career in Alyssa Sommerfeld and fell 6-3, 6-4 in a well-fought match.

“Alyssa was just too fast and too experienced to get overpowered,” Nielson said. “It was a great learning experience for Skye. She’ll be better because of it.”

Georgia Zaun and Lexi Svenningsen were sharp at No. 2 doubles, winning 6-3, 6-3. Zaun also dominated her singles match and wrapped up the regular season with 22 wins.

“Georgia’s confidence, skill, and strategy are through the roof right now,” said Nielson. “If we tracked winners, she might have the most in program history.”

Lexi showed grit in singles as well, winning in a third-set tiebreak after dropping the second set 0-6.

“She made some great adjustments mentally and tactically,” Nielson said.

At No. 3 doubles, Sara Beierle and Rylyn Johnson came up short, but Beierle rebounded in singles with one of her best performances of the season, winning 7-5, 6-3.

“Sara’s first set was the best I’ve seen her play,” Nielson said. “She’s growing fast as a player.”

Chloe Liebersbach rounded out the singles victories, battling through a shaky second set to win in a tiebreak.

“With her confidence shaken, she dug deep and found that level again,” Nielson said. “That was a gutsy performance.”

Valley City (6-match win streak) will face No. 5 Horace again in the EDC quarterfinals Thursday at 10 a.m. in Fargo.

“This will be a tough test,” Nielson said. “But one we’re ready for.”