WAHPETON, N.D. — The Valley City boys tennis team came within one match of another EDC victory Thursday, falling to Wahpeton 5-4 in a dual that came down to the final points.

The Hi-Liners won two of three doubles matches and one of their six singles matches, but Wahpeton countered with three singles victories that went the distance.

Valley City’s No. 1 doubles team of Cole Haugen and Andrew Hoff provided one of the highlights of the day, rallying after dropping the opening set to defeat Gracin Kaste and Crosby Anderson 1-6, 6-4, 10-5.

The victory was particularly encouraging for Hoff, who has primarily competed as a singles player. Haugen and Hoff settled in during the second set, played as a team and attacked at the net while consistently keeping the ball away from the net player.

Beck Dietrich and Brody Metcalf also rallied after dropping their opening set at No. 3 doubles. After falling 6-7 (2), the Hi-Liners responded by winning the second set 6-0 before taking the super tiebreaker 10-6 over Zach Comings and Jackson Bartels.

Dietrich and Metcalf carried that momentum into singles. Dietrich defeated Comings 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 at No. 4, while Metcalf cruised past Bartels 6-2, 6-3 at No. 5.

At No. 2 doubles, Quin Kruger and Emery Olson battled Watson Nagel and Zach Miller before falling 6-2, 7-6 (7).

Kruger also faced Nagel in singles, falling 6-3, 6-4. Haugen lost to Kaste 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 singles.

The final three singles matches were tightly contested.

Hoff dropped his No. 3 singles match to Anderson 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, while Lane Nielson lost to Mason Erickson 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 at No. 6.

Nielson and Hoff, both eighth graders, have spent considerable time competing in tournaments and continue to develop their games.

“Growth is not linear,” Nielson said. “Sometimes growth is painful and feels like a step backwards. I promise today was not a step backwards. Today is our leap pad to continue moving forward.”

The Hi-Liners will return home Thursday for a 4 p.m. dual against West Fargo.