VALLEY CITY, N.D. – After dropping two of three doubles matches, the Valley City Hi-Liners stormed back in singles play Thursday to defeat Fargo South 6-3 for their first Eastern Dakota Conference win of the season.

“We had a tough match on Tuesday,” Hi-Liners coach Matt Nielson said. “We changed some things and had tough conversations about where we are, where we want to be, and how we get there. Our players are bought in and followed the coaching and executed. I couldn’t be more pleased with our team today.”

The Hi-Liners opened doubles with a near upset at the top spot, as Quin Kruger and Kellen Westman fell in a super tiebreaker to Josh Wilkinson and Noah Schultz, 7-5, 4-6, 10-8. Nielson said the pair battled through momentum swings but came up just short.

At No. 2 doubles, Connor Liebersbach and Cole Haugen responded with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory over Henry Wuitschick and Simon Schwengler. “Connor and Cole both were hitting quality serves and groundstrokes,” Nielson said. “They dominated the match only dropping three games total.”

South closed doubles with a 6-2, 6-1 win at the third flight, but singles proved decisive for Valley City.

Kruger, who faced one of the EDC’s top players in Wilkinson, dropped a tight 7-5, 6-0 contest, but the Hi-Liners took control from there, sweeping the next five singles matches.

Liebersbach earned his first two EDC wins of his career this week, finishing Thursday with a 6-0, 6-2 victory at No. 6. “His footwork and consistency on his groundstrokes were very high today,” Nielson said. “He even hit winners on high percentage attack balls.”

At No. 5, sophomore Noah Tulp remained unbeaten on the season with a 6-4, 6-1 win. “Noah just played his game in the second set and cruised,” Nielson said. “He’s still undefeated at 4-0.”

Freshman Colin Hoff rebounded from a difficult outing earlier in the week with a 7-5, 6-1 win at No. 4. “He was mentally tough today,” Nielson said. “In a tight first set, he just continued to play and not second guess himself.”

Westman provided leadership and energy at No. 3, earning a 6-2, 6-4 win. “His attitude and sportsmanship were amazing,” Nielson said. “As unhappy as he was Tuesday, he deserves to be even more joyful today—not for the win, but for how he led his team.”

Haugen sealed the match at No. 2 with a clutch performance in a 7-5, 6-4 victory. “Cole has had tough luck in close matches in the past,” Nielson said. “But his footwork, perseverance and attitude all changed that luck. Clinching the match at that spot is pretty special.”

In exhibition play, seniors Jackson Eison and Evan Schroeder picked up a 6-4 doubles win, while several junior high players also earned victories.

“It is a joy coaching this team,” Nielson said. “Our players executed today, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Valley City (1-1 EDC) hosts Grand Forks Central on Thursday at 4 p.m. and Minot on Friday at 2 p.m.

Results
Valley City 6, Fargo South 3

Singles

1. Josh Wilkinson, FS, def. Quin Kruger, 7-5, 6-0.

2. Cole Haugen, VC, def. Henry Wuitschick, 7-5, 6-4.

3. Kellen Westman, VC, def. Noah Schultz, 6-2, 6-4.

4. Colin Hoff, VC, def. Cade Youngquist, 7-5, 6-1.

5. Noah Tulp, VC, def. Otto Balvitch, 6-4, 6-1.

6. Connor Liebersbach, VC, def. Landon Kirkeby, 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles

1. Wilkinson/Schultz, FS, def. Kruger/Westman, 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.

2. Haugen/Liebersbach, VC, def. Wuitschick/Schwengler, 6-2, 6-1.

3. Balvitch/Youngquist, FS, def. Emery Olson/Andrew Hoff, 6-2, 6-1.