FARGO, N.D. — The Valley City Hi-Liners saw their 2025 boys tennis season come to a close at the Eastern Dakota Conference Individual Tournament in Fargo over the weekend, with sophomore Quin Kruger and the doubles team of junior Cole Haugen and senior Kellen Westman advancing to state-qualifying matches before falling just short.
“Quin in singles and Kellen and Cole in doubles maneuvered their way through the brackets to the state qualifying match, but we couldn’t pull out either of those matches,” head coach Matt Nielson said. “This means the Hi-Liner tennis season is now over.”
Kruger, seeded No. 10, rebounded from a first-round loss to Red River’s Kevin Martinez by winning three straight matches in the consolation bracket. He swept Fargo South’s Cade Youngquist 6-2, 6-0, then blanked Fargo North’s John Bourke 6-0, 6-0. Kruger later outlasted Fargo North’s Lewis Yan 6-1, 2-6, 10-5 to reach the state-qualifying round for the second consecutive year.
Facing No. 4 seed Thor Cameron of Fargo Davies, Kruger built 40–15 leads in several games but couldn’t convert enough key points, falling 6-2, 6-0.
“Quin played fantastic,” Nielson said. “He earned every match win and played his heart out. His effort, focus, and growth were remarkable this season.”
Haugen and Westman also reached the doorstep of state qualification in doubles. The duo defeated teammates Matthew Holm and Colin Hoff 6-1, 6-2 in a consolation-round meeting before topping Fargo South’s Schwengler and Balvitsch 6-2, 6-4. Their run ended against West Fargo Sheyenne’s Bikic and Duffy in the qualifying round, 6-1, 6-2.
“These two have put a lot of time and heart into tennis,” Nielson said. “As their goal was to state qualify, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. I’m proud of them and they should be proud of themselves.”
In singles play, Noah Tulp earned a straight-sets win over Fargo South’s Landon Kirkeby after falling to Cameron in the first round, then pushed Grand Forks Central’s Isiiah Cormier in a tight 7-6(6), 6-2 defeat. Connor Liebersbach battled through two rounds, narrowly dropping a 10-8 super tiebreaker in his second match after forcing a third set.
“Seniors like Connor and Noah gave their all,” Nielson said. “They’ve come so far as players and people, and I’m proud of their growth.”
The Hi-Liners’ other doubles team, Holm and Hoff, fell to Shanley’s Wanner and Buisan in the opening round before meeting teammates Haugen and Westman in consolation play.
The regional tournament marked the end of the high school careers for several key seniors — Holm, Hoff, Tulp, Liebersbach, and Westman — each of whom made a lasting mark on the program.
Despite the season’s end, Nielson reflected on the many highlights of 2025. Valley City earned two EDC dual victories, hosted the conference play-in match, and set a program first by winning five of six singles matches after dropping two doubles matches earlier in the season. The team also had strong showings at invitationals, including multiple JV regional championship appearances.
“We won two EDC matches and hosted the play-in match,” Nielson said. “It was the first time in school history that a team lost two of the three doubles matches and came back to win five of the six singles matches. There’s so much to be proud of.”
He also extended gratitude to the players, parents, and coaching staff for their commitment and support.
“Thanks to the players for believing in the program, to the seniors for their leadership, to the parents for their support, and to my fellow coaches Erik and Susan for their dedication,” Nielson said.
Results
#10 Quin Kruger
Rd1: Lost to Keven Martinez (RR) 6-1, 6-3
Cons Rd1: Defeated Cade Youngquist (FS) 6-2, 6-0
Cons Rd2: Defeated John Bourke (FN) 6-0, 6-0
Cons Rd3: Defeated Lewis Yan (FN) 6-1, 2-6, 10-5
State Qualifying Match: Lost to #4 Thor Cameron (FD) 6-2, 6-0
Noah Tulp
Rd1: Lost to #4 Thor Cameron (FD) 6-0, 6-1
Cons Rd1: Defeated Landon Kirkeby (FS) 6-1, 6-1
Cons Rd2: Lost to #9 Isiiah Cormier (GFC) 7-6(6), 6-2
Connor Liebersbach
Rd1: Lost to #6 Watson Nagel (W) 6-1, 6-3
Rd2: Lost to Zach Comings (W) 0-6, 7-5, 10-8
#10 Kellen Westman & Cole Haugen
Rd1: Lost to #7 M.McDonald/G.Schauer (RR) 6-3, 6-3
Cons Rd1: Defeated M.Holm/C.Hoff (VC) 6-1, 6-2
Cons Rd2: Defeated S.Schwengler/O.Balvitsch (FS) 6-2, 6-4
State Qualifying Match: Lost to #8 B.Bikic/T.Duffy (WFS) 6-1, 6-2
Colin Hoff & Matthew Holm
Rd1: Lost to M.Wanner/A.Buisan (Sh) 6-2, 6-1
Cons Rd1: Lost to #10 K.Westman/C.Haugen (VC), 6-1, 6-2