Hi-Liner Tennis hits the court, winning 9-0

After postponing Tuesday’s match due to rain, the Hi-Liners and Spartans found a way to play Thursday’s matchup inside at Courts Plus in Fargo to not fall behind two matches to start the year.

Results: VC 9 FN 0 Singles

1. Breck Sufficool(12) defeated Maria Kryjeuski 7-5, 6-0

2. Kailee Nielson(10) defeated JJ Bratton 6-2, 6-4

3. Abby Martineck(12) defeated Emma Burris 6-3, 6-0

4. Georgia Zaun(10) defeated Larissa Lahaise 6-0, 6-1

5. Skye Nielson(8) defeated Becca Webb 6-1, 6-1

6. Ella Olson(12) defeated Bailey Kolesar 6-0, 6-2

Doubles:

1. Sufficool/Martineck defeated Kryjeuski/ Bratton 6-3, 6-1

2. K.Nielson/Zaun defeated Burris/Lahaise 6-0, 6-1

3. S.Nielson/Alyssa Thomsen(12) defeated Webb/Ali Tory 6-4, 6-2

Varsity Exhibition:

Lexi Svenningsen(7)/ Sara Beierle(8) defeated Shemonti Noor/Lydia Roser 6-2, 6-2

Svenningsen/Olson defeated Kolesar/Noor 7-5

Beierle defeated Roser 6-3

Thoughts:

After almost three weeks of practice, it was great to play an EDC match. Fargo North only had one player in the line-up from last year’s dual in Burris, so they are a very green team. They had great attitudes and fought for every point. Coach Saville has them going in the right direction.

Last year’s state doubles champions, Breck and Abby, had rusty starts in their matches. In doubles, we were trying to get our rhythm with the server and server’s partner with our poaching. It didn’t click right away in the first set and we dropped a few games. They got it going late in the first set and elevated to championship form for the rest of the match. Abby in singles had too much time as the pace of the ball was slower than she sees in practice. The more time you have, the more overthinking occurs on the court. Abby was able to take a step back to then take a step in which meant she hit the ball in rhythm leading to quality shots and a 6-0 second set victory. Breck wasn’t patient in the first set. Tennis is a game of errors. We need to make our opponent make the error before we make the error. In the second set, Breck played safer and more patient leading to a 6-0 win as well. Nice work!

Kailee and Georgia paired up together today after they finished top 8 at state last season. They only dropped one game in the match. Kailee played loose and angled the ball well. Georgia was overhitting a bit leading to unforced errors. Georgia then went on to singles and played the best match I’ve seen her play ever. She slowed down, took some pace off, while placing the ball where she wanted to dictate the points. She came up to the net several times with great footwork to win points as well. Kailee has always considered herself the underdog, which means she could just go play the game. Today, she knew she was the favorite. It is a different mental game when you are the favorite. Kailee had a rough second set while pulling out the win. Having this type of struggle now is great for our players to then focus on their development.

Skye and Alyssa started off strong at #3 doubles. Serves were going for winners. Groundstrokes caused errors for their opponents. But, we took our foot off the gas. Our footwork wasn’t precise, we didn’t follow through on groundstrokes, elbows were in too tight, swinging on volleys, not attacking on offensive balls. We took the first set after only being up 5-4. They both set their feet better and attacked in the second set. They also hit approach shots to then get two players up which really forced their opponents’ hands. We cruised to a two set victory. In singles, Skye played an up and comer in 7th grader Webb (remember this name – she will be a player to contend with in the future). Skye played a very good match where she attacked the ball. Skye shapes the ball very well on both sides using moderate top spin to effectively increase her power and control.

Ella made quick work at #6 singles. She moved her feet, attacked the ball, hit it deep, and stayed consistent. Ella even hit a couple approach shots and finished points at the net. She also played an exhibition doubles with Lexi in which they came back to win. Lexi practices up with the varsity and has held her own with her great attitude and coachability. Sara and Lexi also won in exhibition doubles together. Sara is using her top spin on both sides effectively. Also, she is figuring out movement in doubles helping her team stay in points.

Overall, this was a great first match for us. Being the favorite is a tougher spot to be in than the underdog. We need to find how to play our game at our level even when we are favored in a matchup.

We will have a couple days of practice before travelling to Fargo Davies next Tuesday. We are excited for this match as it will be a clash of 2 of the top 3 EDC teams from 2023!

I LOVE being a HiLiner!

Coach Nielson