CFNN Reporters: Brianna Keen and Allie Dawson

This week, the Lady Colts tennis team played in the first and second round of the Dual Team state playoffs. They faced South Central and Carrborro, unfortunately losing in a battle to the latter team. 

On Monday, the girls played in the first round of dual team playoffs against the South Central Falcons, resulting in a 9-0 victory. Senior Shea Bieniek dominated the match with a 6-0 6-0 score. Senior Andi Brinker won her first set 6-4, but played no games in the second, winning 6-0. Senior Brianna Keen didn’t let up, winning both sets 6-0. Junior Dani Fick also gave her opponent goose eggs, winning her match 6-0 6-0. Senior Olivia Arnette was consistent and fierce, winning her match 6-0 6-2. Lastly on court six, junior Hailey Ross executed technique wonderfully, winning 6-1 6-4. 

Doubles was an absolute sweep, with all three doubles teams winning 8-0. Bieniek and Brinker volleyed and rallied their way to a quick victory, as did Keen and Fick, and Arnette and Ross.

On Wednesday, the girls battled harder than ever before against the Carrboro Jaguars. Even when facing rather rude and obnoxious opponents, the girls kept their composure and lost with a classy Colt attitude. On court one, Bieniek lost to a vicious opponent but fought hard, resulting in a 4-6 0-6 loss. On court two, Brinker lost a tough match 3-6 2-6. On court three, Keen defeated her opponent with a 6-1 6-0 score. On court four, Fick battled and won in a third set tie break, resulting in a match score of 5-7 7-5 10-7. On court five, Arnette battled every point but ultimately lost 1-6 1-6. And lastly on court six, Ross fought fiercely but lost her match in a nail biting tie break, resulting in a 6-1 3-6 12-14 score.

As for doubles, Bieniek and Brinker lost in a close 8-4, Keen and Fick lost a tough 2-8, and Arnette and Ross lost 2-8 as well. 

The loss was of course tough on the team, but the girls exuded grace and good sportsmanship the Cape Fear way through it all. However, the season was not completely over for Bieniek and Brinker on Wednesday, as they competed in the Individual State Championship for doubles that weekend. 

At Regionals, Bieniek and Brinker played their first match against Western Alamance, sweeping them 6-0 6-0. Their next match was a little more worrisome, but they dominated Union Pines with a 6-4 6-2 score. These two awesome wins qualified these Lady Colts for States. This dreamteam played Fike and won an impressive 7-6 6-1, moving them to the next level. The girls continued to show no mercy against their tough opponents, next beating Franklin in the quarterfinals with a whopping 6-0 6-0 score.

This win brought these powerhouses to the semifinals, which unfortunately they lost to Terry Sanford 0-6 0-6. What a fantastic run these girls had! We are very proud of these two incredible athletes for their accomplishments.

“I had so much fun my final year in this program, and as for regionals and states, it felt good to be back in the final four!” exclaimed Bieniek.

“At states, I think Shea and I gave it our best effort. I had an absolute blast playing with her and making this run for the second year in a row,” said Brinker.

What a fantastic run these girls had! We are very proud of these two incredible athletes for their accomplishments. We are beyond proud of our Lady Colts tennis team for having an excellent season. The girls finished with an impressive 21-1 record. Congratulations to the Cape Fear Girls tennis team for their accomplishments this 2024 season, your Colt family is proud! Stay classy Colts!