BUFORD — Olivia Correa knew everything that was on the line, felt the eyeballs glued to her every serve.
But despite the pressure -- not to mention the exhaustion of a three-set match -- Correa maintained her focus and hauled her Flowery Branch girls tennis team to a 3-1 win over Buford in the Region 8-AAAAA championship match on Wednesday in Buford.
"I was just taking it one point at a time," said Correa, who defeated Kenzie Walters 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 at No. 2 doubles to seal the crown. "Once I won that second set I realized I could do it. But it was really hard -- that kind of work doesn't get done by itself."
The Buford boys, meanwhile, also put in solid work on Wednesday, sweeping the Falcons 3-0 to claim their side of the 8-AAAAA tournament.
The Wolves won at No. 2 singles behind Dalton Counts (6-1, 6-0 over Tucker Smallwood) and swept the doubles points -- the No. 1 team of Cameron DeLoach and Alex Pruitt defeating John Hollis and Brady McVey 7-6, 6-3, and the No. 2 team of Cole Tarleton and Luke Davidson prevailing 6-1, 6-0 over Dominick Garcia and Brody Millwood.
"Preparation is key, and we've been prepping for this all season," said senior leader Tarleton. "This team has a great work ethic, and we're ready to see what we can do in state."
The Wolves watched their Lady Wolves counterparts reach the Class AAAA semifinals last season and feel they can make their own run this time around when the state playoffs begin in the next few days.
"The past three years we haven't played as well as we could have, but this season we've played to the best of our abilities," Tarleton said. "Now it's a case of buckle up, pedal to the metal, no let-up."
The Lady Falcons knew they could not let up against the Lady Wolves on Wednesday. And even when they stormed to a 2-0 lead behind wins from Olivia Nance at No. 3 singles -- 6-0, 6-0 over Savanna Klem -- and the No. 2 doubles team of Marissa Barrett and Brenna Martin -- 6-3, 6-4 over Gabby Benson and Sydney Grothe -- coach Ginger Jackson prepped for a photo finish.
"We knew it was going to be tough the whole way, but I also knew I had people out there I had confidence in," Jackson said. "The No. 1 singles match always has a hard time; that's what you expect at any level, and she was playing hard, battling. And that No. 2 comes through for us a lot too."
After watching Buford pull a point back at No. 1 doubles -- Tamia Wayne and Emma Place defeating Peyton Brick and Kylie McGuire 6-3, 6-3 -- it all came down to the top two singles positions. And both matches went to three sets, building a dramatic finish as fans and players -- Falcons and Wolves alike -- lined the court, cheering every point.
After losing the opening set in each match, the Branch broke back to win the second set in each. But while the No. 1 singles match looked destined for a marathon -- Buford's Bailey McCammon and Branch's Annabelle Thomas duking it out for every single point (McCammon won the first set 6-1, Thomas took the second 7-6 and it was 1-0 in the third) -- Correa put an end to the proceedings, helping her program to its fourth region crown.
"This means a lot; it shows we work really well together, and we really want it for each other," Correa said. "It also means a lot to beat Buford; our other sports really haven't beaten them this year."
"We've been building this program for eight years," Jackson added. "And I wanted to become the team that other teams say, 'oh we've got to play Flowery Branch girls.' And I think we're on that track. To beat a school like Buford is huge. I have the utmost respect for them."
-- NOTE: The Johnson boys also finished with the fourth seed from 8-AAAAA and will play in the state tournament.
