The girls tennis team left no doubt about who ruled the Eastern Dakota Conference this season.

After earning the No. 1 seed for the EDC Tournament, the Hi-Liners powered through the bracket with a dominant performance, defeating 4-1 in the championship match to capture their second EDC Tournament title in the past three seasons.

Valley City finished the day with a staggering 14-1 individual match record and improved to 15-0 overall on the season.

“This group continues to prove people wrong,” head coach Matt Nielson said. “For a Class B school to compete at this level against the biggest schools in the state is incredible. The girls believe in themselves, trust each other and rise to the moment.”

The Hi-Liners opened tournament play indoors at Courts Plus in Fargo with a pair of 5-0 victories over Horace in the quarterfinals and Fargo Davies in the semifinals before squaring off with Red River for the championship.

In the opening round, Valley City swept past Horace behind strong play throughout the lineup. Senior Georgia Zaun rolled to a 6-1, 6-2 win at No. 1 singles while Kailee Nielson blanked Katelyn Posl 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles.

Eighth grader Cambrie Westman earned her first postseason victory in dramatic fashion at No. 3 singles. After surviving a first-set tiebreaker against Alyse Aslakson, Westman settled in to close out a 7-6(6), 6-3 victory.

“Cambrie was outstanding,” Nielson said. “She stayed consistent with her topspin, moved well and showed tremendous composure in big moments.”

The Hi-Liners’ doubles teams also cruised in the opener as Skye Nielson and Rylyn Johnson won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles while Lexi Svenningsen and Kinlee Sufficool dominated 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles.

The semifinals brought a surprise matchup after Fargo Davies upset Grand Forks Central. Valley City adjusted seamlessly and again swept the match 5-0.

Georgia Zaun rebounded from a first-set loss to seventh grader Sadie Barnett to claim a 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 1 singles. Kailee Nielson controlled her match from the start with a 6-2, 6-2 victory, while Sufficool added another postseason win with a 6-3, 6-3 decision at No. 3 singles.

At doubles, Johnson and Skye Nielson battled through a second-set tiebreaker to secure a 6-4, 7-6(0) victory, while Svenningsen and Sara Beierle stayed aggressive throughout a 6-3, 6-4 win.

That set up a championship showdown against Red River, the same team Valley City defeated days earlier to secure the EDC regular season title.

The Hi-Liners entered the championship match needing four wins and got them from familiar faces.

Kailee Nielson and Skye Nielson dominated singles play yet again, each winning in straight sets to quickly put Valley City ahead 2-0. Kailee won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles while Skye claimed a 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles.

Red River answered with a win at No. 1 doubles, trimming the deficit to 2-1 and placing the pressure squarely on the remaining courts.

At No. 1 singles, Zaun found herself in another battle against Ruby Schneider. After edging the opening set 6-4, Zaun stayed composed in a tightly contested second set. Tied 4-5, she elevated her play and won the final three games to clinch the match 7-5 and secure the EDC championship for the Hi-Liners.

“Georgia has been unbelievable in pressure moments,” Nielson said. “Her toughness, confidence and ability to respond when things get tight has been huge for us all season.”

Even after Valley City clinched the title, Sufficool and Johnson continued battling at No. 2 doubles and completed a thrilling comeback victory. After dropping the first set 4-6, the duo stormed back to win the second set 6-1 before taking the deciding super tiebreaker 7-5.

Nielson said the performance from Johnson and Sufficool showcased the depth and chemistry of the Hi-Liners lineup.

“Rylyn and Kinlee played fearless,” he said. “They attacked the net, stayed aggressive and trusted each other. It was awesome to watch.”

The championship run capped another remarkable day in an already historic season for Valley City. The Hi-Liners now turn their attention toward the individual postseason tournament, where Zaun earned the No. 2 seed in singles while sisters Kailee and Skye Nielson claimed the No. 1 seed in doubles.

Quarterfinals

Valley City 5, Horace 0

Singles

1. Georgia Zaun, VC, def. Lilia Rexin, H, 6-1, 6-2.
2. Kailee Nielson, VC, def. Katelyn Posl, H, 6-0, 6-0.
3. Cambrie Westman, VC, def. Alyse Aslakson, H, 7-6(6), 6-3.

Doubles

1. Skye Nielson/Rylyn Johnson, VC, def. Ellie Heilman/Keely Gilseth, H, 6-0, 6-1.
2. Lexi Svenningsen/Kinlee Sufficool, VC, def. Mariah Fuchs/Joley Lerum, H, 6-1, 6-0.

Semifinals

Valley City 5, Fargo Davies 0

Singles

1. Georgia Zaun, VC, def. Sadie Barnett, FD, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
2. Kailee Nielson, VC, def. Maya Larson, FD, 6-2, 6-2.
3. Kinlee Sufficool, VC, def. Ruby Smith, FD, 6-3, 6-3.

Doubles

1. Skye Nielson/Rylyn Johnson, VC, def. Mia Hozak/Jaelynn Jackson, FD, 6-4, 7-6(0).
2. Lexi Svenningsen/Sara Beierle, VC, def. Olivia Sandvik/Ellery Ames, FD, 6-3, 6-4.

Championship Match

Valley City 4, Grand Forks Red River 1

Singles

1. Georgia Zaun, VC, def. Ruby Schneider, RR, 6-4, 7-5.
2. Kailee Nielson, VC, def. Irene Tang, RR, 6-1, 6-1.
3. Skye Nielson, VC, def. Maggie Lunak, RR, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles

1. Elizabeth Kilgore/Lauren Endres, RR, def. Lexi Svenningsen/Sara Beierle, VC, 6-1, 6-1.
2. Kinlee Sufficool/Rylyn Johnson, VC, def. Kalli Block/Ella Yahna, RR, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(5).