In a valiant but losing 5-2 effort the FA Tennis Team finished State Runner-up.  Winning in singles were Helen Brockmann and Kali Sibillia.  It was 4-2 them after singles and when we lost the first doubles match, the game was over.  Still it was our best season ever, finishing 17-1 and East Champions.  Of the 6 players who played singles in the playoffs, all 6 are returning next year.  So Congratulations ladies.  You have made us proud.

On Thursday the FA Tennis Team beat Research Triangle 5-1 to become the East Champions!   Winning in singles were Abby, Helen, Sydney, Isabelle, and Kali.  This is our first East Championship in tennis, and our first time playing for the State Championship, which happens on Saturday in Burlington, 9:30 am.  Our women tennis players have added another trophy to the FA wall of fame, and hope to bring home another in 2 days.  The players are all in fine form, playing their best and ready for the challenge that Pine Lake Prep is sure to be.  Our team is now 17-0 on the season.  Since 2013, the first year for which there are stats on maxpreps, the team is 101-17, an 85.6% winning percentage.  Patriots on to victory!

On Monday the FA Women's Tennis Team took another big step on its quest to make the State Team Finals.  They beat Raleigh Charter, the last 3 years in a row defending champions, 5-1.  These players had convincing singles wins:  Anisah, Helen, Sydney, Isabelle, and Kali.  In the playoffs it is only required to be the first team to get to 5, so we didn't play doubles.  Now FA takes on Research Triangle in the East Finals on Wednesday, with the winner going to Burlington on Saturday to play the West champion in the State Finals.  We have played RT earlier in the season and won.  This is a repeat of the teams in the East Finals for Mens' Tennis, but this time FA has the upper hand.  The excellent season continues.   GO PATRIOTS!!!!

In a tense, too tense, 2 set match Anisah and Abby won!   7-5,7-6, and it took 2 hours 35 minutes.    Their opponent was a team from the perennial tennis powerhouse from the West, Bishop McGuiness.  Our two sophomores beat their two seniors in a back and forth, hills and valleys type of match, with Anisah setting up Abby for the final overhead put away.  Abby said her tail was wagging when she saw the lob return coming up short and where she could get it.  And she did.  It was an awesome win and FA's first state championship of any kind in tennis.  Next week we take on Raleigh Charter in the team playoffs, a match that, for all purposes,  will decide who goes to the State Team Championship.  Lets all come out and cheer on the Patriots on Monday at Flaherty. WAY TO GO ANISAH AND ABBY!!!

FA tennis went to the E. Regional Individual Tournament in Greenville this week and had our best showing ever.  5 players will be advancing to States in Cary.  In doubles we are the EAST CHAMPIONS!!   Anisah Sison and Abby Armistead triumphed, winning all 4 matches over the 2 days.  On Saturday they beat 2 Raleigh Charter teams in successive matches.  They are our first regional champions ever and will face the 4 seed from the West in the first round at States. Ashylnn Stephan and Sydney Sibillia finished 3rd in doubles and will play the 2 seed from the West.  This is Ashlynn's third straight appearance at States, tying the school record.  In singles Helen Brockmann placed 4th and will play the 1 seed from the west.  Helen had to retire with an injury on Saturday or she would have undoubtedly finished higher.  Way to go Patriots!!!

At the NCAC tournament the FA tennis team dominated, qualifying all 6 players to the East Regional.  In singles both Helen Brockmann and Kali Sibillia dispatched their opponents from Voyager and Roxboro, losing only 2 games between them.  Our doubles teams of Anisah Sison/Abby Armistead and Ashlynn Stephan/Sydney Sibillia were equally successful.   This is our best chance yet at Regional.  Go Patriots. 

On Tuesday the FA Tennis team took on the last 3 year's state champions, Raleigh Charter.  4 of our top players were out for the match due to injuries, sickness,etc. It was going to be a challenge to say the least.   To our regular line-up of Anisah, Helen, and Isabelle we added Gugma, Erin, Katherine, and Lanah.   In our most feel-good win ever, we triumphed anyway, winning 5-4.  After singles it was 3-3, with Anisah, Helen, and Erin all winning.  Helen and Erin had tie-breakers.  We won the #1 doubles of Anisah/Helen 8-3, but narrowly lost the #3 with Gugma/Lanah 7-9.  The match was tied 4-4 with the #2 doubles going to decide it.  Isabelle/Erin went ahead 3-0 but then fell behind 4-6.  They tied it up at 8-8 and proceeded to win a pressure packed tie-breaker 7-4.  The match took an unprecedented 4.5 hours, but it was our most satisfying ever.  Congrats to all the girls.  You made us proud.

On a very hot day in Goldsboro, the FA Women's Tennis team completed the first half of it's regular season with a 7-2 win.  Winnning in singles were Anisah, Abby, Helen, Sydney, Kali and Gugma.  Winning in doubles was our #1 team of Helen Brockmann/Easton Inman.  The team is now 8-0 on the season, and well on our way to "the banner".