On Saturday, the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3A dual-team girls tennis state champion was decided after a marathon match at the Burlington Tennis Center that lasted over five hours.

After a long battle, Lake Norman Charter emerged victorious with a 5-4 win over Terry Sanford, earning the school’s fourth championship in dual-team girls tennis. This victory also served as redemption for their second-place finish in the previous season.

The game lived up to the expectations of two undefeated teams. Lake Norman Charter had a record of 23-0, while Terry Sanford was 18-0 going into the day.

The No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles were prime examples of the intense competition.

In the sixth singles match, Kate Champion from Lake Norman beat Lauren Ruppe. However, she had to win a tiebreaker in the second set to bring it to a third set tiebreaker. Champion ultimately won with a score of 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), (10-3). This victory evened out the match at 3-3 before moving on to the doubles round.

The outcome of the match was determined by the No. 3 doubles. Aileen Huynh and Champion joined forces to defeat Sophie Blankenship and Hannah Johnson from Terry Sanford with a score of 10-10 (7-3). A tiebreaker ultimately secured the state championship for Lake Norman Charter.

Luci Falls of Lake Norman Charter secured a victory in the top singles spot, defeating Annie Lieberman 6-3, 6-4. In the fourth singles position, Moriah Harris also clinched a win for Lake Norman Charter by beating Blankenship 6-3, 6-4.

Falls and Harris joined forces to secure a 10-7 victory against Lieberman and Ruppe in the second doubles match.

On Saturday, Terry Sanford competed in the dual-team girls tennis state championship for the first time since their four consecutive wins in 1991-1994. The Bulldogs ended the season with a record of 18-1.

Results for the 2023 NCHSAA 3A Dual-Team Girls Tennis State Championship

Singles:

Luci Falls from Lake Norman Charter defeated Annie Lieberman from Terry Sanford with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

In the second round, Pauline Bui from Terry Sanford High School defeated Eleina Moon from Lake Norman Charter with a score of 6-1, 6-1.

Loren Galaviz from Terry Sanford High School defeated Anslee Falls from Terry Sanford High School with a score of 6-4, 6-3.

Moriah Harris from Lake Norman Charter defeated Sophie Blankenship from Terry Sanford with a score of 6-3, 6-4.

In the fifth round, Lauren Zuravel from Terry Sanford defeated Aileen Huynh from Lake Norman Charter with a score of 6-4, 6-2.

In the sixth match, Kate Champion from Lake Norman Charter defeated Lauren Ruppe from Terry Sanford with a score of 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), and (10-3).

Doubles:

Pauline Bui and Loren Galaviz from Terry Sanford High School defeated Eleina Moon and Anslee Falls from Lake Norman Charter with a score of 10-6.

“Lake Norman Charter’s Luci Falls and Moriah Harris defeated Terry Sanford’s Annie Lieberman and Lauren Ruppe with a score of 10-7.”

Aileen Huynh and Kate Champion from Lake Norman Charter defeated Sophie Blankenship and Hannah Johnson from Terry Sanford with a score of 10-10 (7-3).

Source: highschoolot.com