Now the duo faces a similar feeling heading into the state tournament after winning the regional title at Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center on Saturday.

“We got a lot more different competition here, and it really helps a lot because people at states are going to be from all over, not just our area,” Smith said.

The Catamounts defeated Millbrook’s Lauren McCorquodale and Savannah Taranto, 6-3, 6-1 in the championship match. They did not drop a set during the two-day tournament.

“We’re excited,” Strickland said. “We felt very confident coming in here.”

In the match for third place, Broughton’s doubles teams met again after facing each other in the Cap Eight tournament finals.

The Capitals’ Adrienne Overcash and Kara Summerford defeated teammates Kelsey Boole and Olivia King, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4.

Fellow Broughton player junior Maggie Kane found herself down 5-3 in the first set of the singles championship, despite having defeated her opponent – Wakefield freshman Susanne Boyden – twice during the regular season.

With her undefeated record on the line, Kane knew she had to make a change.

“I didn’t get a very good start, and then I kind of felt a momentum shift when I won that game and it was 5-4,” Kane said. “From then on I got my confidence back and just kind of ran with it.”

Kane wouldn’t drop another game, beating Boyden 7-5, 6-0.

Boyden came into the championship match after handing Tri-Nine champion Jamie Rogers of Cary High her second loss of the year.

Rogers finished third, and Panther Creek’s Megan Smith finished fourth.

The top four players in singles and the top four doubles teams will advance to this week’s NCHSAA 4A finals.

Millbrook Exchange Park will also host the 4A state tournament, which will take place Friday and Saturday.