'We did it again': Cape Fear girls tennis wins back-to-back state championships

From start to finish on the road to a repeat as state champions, Cape Fear girls tennis coach Chris Lucas noticed a difference in the Colts that set them apart from the group that got it done a season ago.

After winning the program’s first-ever state title in 2021, the Colts faced heightened pressure and expectations as they began their quest for back-to-back NCHSAA 3-A state championships.

“The difference, really, is last year they would periodically sing on the bus – really annoying songs, like Miley Cyrus,” Lucas said with a laugh.

“This time around, it was for a whole two hours on the bus ride. They keep it loose, keep it fun and just remind each other what they’re capable of. You don’t win big unless you play for each other. They’re the embodiment of that.”

The fifth-seeded Colts earned a 5-1 victory against No. 4 Lake Norman Charter on Nov. 5 at the Burlington Tennis Complex to win the dual team state championship for a second straight season.

Cape Fear beat Forestview in 2021 to claim the program’s first-ever state championship and become Fayetteville’s first tennis program in nearly 30 years to take top honors in the sport.

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This time around, the Colts (18-1) took care of business in singles play against Lake Norman Charter (20-2).

Senior leader Brooke Bieniek was named MVP of the title match. She didn’t drop a set throughout the dual team playoffs.

“I felt like I was on cloud nine,” Bieniek said. “I wanted to win back-to-back (championships) so badly, so it took awhile to sink in that we did it. I’ve been thinking about it ever since last year.”

Brooke’s sister, Shea, won MVP honors in 2021.

“I think she deserved it and did well. It was nice how she followed in my footsteps,” Shea said with a laugh.

Shea won her state championship match (6-2, 6-4) to finish the season as the lone player on the roster to post an undefeated record in singles.

Anna Piland (6-0, 6-0), Andi Brinker (6-2, 6-4) and Brianna Keen (4-6, 6-2, 10-6) won their singles matches to clinch the crown for the Colts. Ansley Thomas also was a part of the six-player rotation.

Piland battled through an injury in the spring to remain Cape Fear’s top singles player throughout the season. She was the first to finish her match at the state championship.

“The biggest challenge was getting back into a good rhythm,” Piland said. “. … I was really excited Saturday. We just felt like we did last year, all over again.”

Keen was Cape Fear’s recipient of the NCHSAA sportsmanship award.

“I always go out there trying to be as positive as I possibly can be,” Keen said. “You can get opponents that aren’t the kindest to you, but you just gotta kill ‘em with kindness. It means a lot that I got that award, because I definitely tried to put that effort in to be kind, no matter what.”

Brinker secured the winning point to ignite the celebration of a special two-season run for the Colts.

“I was just shocked … we did it,” Brinker said. “It was really energetic and exciting when we were hugging each other. We did it again.”

Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cape Fear girls tennis defends N.C. state dual team championship