GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The Valley City Hi-Liners girls tennis team wrapped up a memorable 2025 season with a state championship, a singles medal, and the promise of even more ahead.

Junior Kailee Nielson and freshman Skye Nielson captured the North Dakota state championship in No. 1 doubles Saturday at Choice Health & Fitness, while junior Georgia Zaun delivered a sixth-place finish in the singles bracket — marking the second consecutive year the Hi-Liners have medaled in both events.

“This was a tremendous end to a great season,” said head coach Matt Nielson. “Our girls played with confidence, poise, and energy all weekend. We had historic performances, and every athlete gave their all.”

State Doubles Champions — Nielson & Nielson

The top-seeded duo of Kailee and Skye Nielson delivered a dominant run through the doubles bracket to claim Valley City’s second doubles state title in three years, joining 2023 champions Breck Sufficool and Abby Martineck in the program’s growing legacy.

After a slightly slow start in their opening match on Friday, the Nielson sisters quickly found their rhythm. They defeated Bismarck Legacy’s Ava Flemmer and Joya Martian 6-1, 6-0 in the first round, then downed Mandan’s No. 4 West seed, Eva Benz and Ellie Thomsen, 6-3, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinals, Kailee and Skye blitzed through their Mandan opponents — the West Region’s No. 2 seed, Lauren Katzung and Lilly Thomsen — 6-0, 6-3 to advance to the title match.

Waiting for them in the final was a familiar foe: Fargo Davies’ Tanis Lee and Grace Wanzek. The two teams had met three times already in 2025, with Valley City winning all three — including the EDC title match. In the final showdown, the Hi-Liners once again came out on top.

After falling behind 0-2 in the opening set, Kailee and Skye rattled off six of the next seven games to take it 6-3. In the second, the Hi-Liners led 3-2 with a crucial deuce point looming.

“We put that point away to go up 4-2 and never looked back,” Nielson said. “Kailee and Skye communicated incredibly well and had great belief in each other. They moved at the net, picked off volleys, hit corner lobs, and executed overheads. Just fantastic tennis.”

State Doubles Results — Kailee & Skye Nielson (1E)

• Rd. 1: Def. #8W Flemmer/Martian (Legacy) 6-1, 6-0

• Quarterfinal: Def. #4W Benz/Thomsen (Mandan) 6-3, 6-3

• Semifinal: Def. #2W Katzung/Thomsen (Mandan) 6-0, 6-3

• Championship: Def. #2E Lee/Wanzek (Fargo Davies) 6-3, 6-2

Kailee finished the season with 35 wins, breaking her sister Skye’s single-season program record. Her 94.6% win rate ranks among the best in school history. Skye, meanwhile, tied Breck Sufficool’s program record for doubles wins in a season with 25.

Zaun Takes Sixth in Singles

Zaun, seeded No. 4 out of the East Region, delivered a resilient and composed performance to take sixth place in the singles bracket — making her the second Hi-Liner in as many years to earn an individual medal after Skye Nielson placed sixth in 2024.

She opened with a 6-0, 7-6(5) win over Abby Mullally of St. Mary’s. Zaun used sharp angles and depth to control rallies and draw errors from the athletic Bismarck junior.

In the quarterfinals, Zaun ran into eventual runner-up Shayna Klitzke of Dickinson. Despite executing a smart, centered defensive game plan, Klitzke’s ability to hit sharp angles proved too much as she won 6-1, 6-1.

Zaun rebounded in the consolation bracket. In a rematch with Shanley’s Mary Wolf, Zaun dropped the first set 7-5 but turned up her footwork and aggression to take the next two sets 6-0, 10-5.

In the consolation semifinals, she faced Jamestown’s Elise Roberts — a junior with strong topspin and slice who had advanced due to an injury default. Zaun maintained consistency and poise, winning 6-3, 6-2 to guarantee a top-six finish.

In the fifth-place match, Zaun fell to Williston’s Avy Ator, who came out firing and never let up in a 6-0, 6-0 win.

State Singles Results — Georgia Zaun (4E)

• Rd. 1: Def. #5W Mullally (St. Mary’s) 6-0, 7-6(5)

• Quarterfinal: Lost to #1W Klitzke (Dickinson) 6-1, 6-1

• Consolation QF: Def. #7E Wolf (Shanley) 5-7, 6-0, 10-5

• Consolation SF: Def. #8W Roberts (Jamestown) 6-3, 6-2

• 5th Place Match: Lost to #4W Ator (Williston) 6-0, 6-0

“Georgia had an amazing tournament,” said Nielson. “She’s one of the best competitors we’ve ever had. Even when down, she always believes she can come back. Her consistency and fight helped her earn a well-deserved medal.”

Season Milestones & Honors

The 2025 Hi-Liner season was full of “firsts” and records:

• First Hi-Liner team to win #1 doubles at the West Fargo Invite (Kailee & Skye Nielson)

• First Hi-Liner to place at #1 singles at the West Fargo Invite (Georgia Zaun)

• Kailee Nielson: 35 wins, new program record

• Skye Nielson: Tied program record for doubles wins in a season (25)

All-State Honors:

• Kailee Nielson – Doubles

• Skye Nielson – Doubles

All-EDC Honors:

• Kailee Nielson (third selection)

• Georgia Zaun (second selection)

• Skye Nielson (first selection)

Bright Future for the Hi-Liners

Every member of the Hi-Liners’ varsity lineup is eligible to return next season, and the underclassmen talent pool is deep and motivated.

Junior Rylyn Johnson — a first-year player — went 8-8 in varsity play. Eighth grader Chloe Liebersbach won 12 varsity matches. Eighth grader Lexi Svenningsen and freshman Sara Beierle, both in their first full varsity seasons, collected 14 and 13 wins, respectively.

“They’re being pushed by a hungry JV group,” said Nielson. “Kylie, Sophie, Alizabeth, Addie, Paige, Cambrie — they all want their shot. We’re going to be deep and competitive again next season.”

“Thanks to our players for being so coachable and great teammates. Thanks to our parents for their flexibility and support, and to Valley City Public Schools for always backing our program,” Nielson added.

“And special thanks to our incredible coaching staff — Sara Aberle, Hannah Aberle, Susan Kringlie, Erik Kringlie, and Jamie LaFramboise. Having dedicated volunteers who are knowledgeable, relatable, and consistent makes all the difference.”