MARIETTA — The Flowery Branch girls tennis team will never forget their first foray into the state semifinals -- and it was so nearly a championship appearance.
The Lady Falcons battled Kell to a standstill in their first ever Final Four appearance on Friday, sweeping the doubles points to set up a fight to the finish.
The Lady Longhorns took the No. 1 and 2 singles, sending the game into the deciding match -- No. 3 singles.
Olivia Nance fought tooth and nail, winning the first set before ultimately falling in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.
The No. 1 doubles team of Brenna Martin/Alyssa McSpadden won 6-2, 6-2, while the No. 2 team of Kendalle Quast/Alicia Quast won in three sets 6-7, 6-1, 6-1.
Annabelle Thomas fell 6-4, 6-1 at No. 1 singles, while Olivia Correa succumbed 6-2, 6-2.
The Region 8-5A champions graduate just two players in Correa and Martin, returning the bulk of the squad for next season, when the Branch will drop into Class 4A.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/5/667252/playoff-tennis-lady-falcons-historic-season-comes-to-an-end-in-nail-biter