DURHAM — Play ended at the NCHSAA 2-A Mideast Regional for nine members of the West Bladen and East Bladen tennis teams on Friday.
West Bladen, champion of the Three Rivers Conference, had two doubles teams and a singles entry. Senior Alyssa Smith won her first-round match but lost in the second. The senior league champion doubles team of Autumn Brisson-Alyssa Bell met the same fate. Junior Marley Fletcher-sophomore Courtney Hester was defeated in the first round.
East Bladen qualified two doubles teams and each won a first-round match before falling in the second round.
Juniors Lily Lin and Alyssa Futrell defeated Ayden Smith-Dylan Smith of McMichael 6-0, 6-3 and lost to Avery Headen-Lindley Andrew of Jordan-Matthews 6-1, 6-1. Junior Carlie West-sophomore Heather Hardin triumphed over Mary Kate Burns-Laura Grace Tucker of Oxford Webb 6-2, 7-5 and lost to Chace Ogle-Jayce Gaither of Durham School of the Arts 6-0, 6-0 in the second round.
Smith was unbeaten in regular season singles play and finished the season 17-3, including runner-up in the Three Rivers tournament. Brisson-Bell finished the year 16-1, adding to a 17-2 junior season for a sparkling 33-3 run with two league titles to end their prep tennis careers.