With just a few weeks of practice under their belt, River Hill doubles tennis players Audrey Cheng and Nathan Huber took home a state title.
Now, with Huber about to graduate, Cheng and her coach are looking for another partner — and ahead to next year's championship match.
Both Cheng, a junior, and Huber, a senior, played No. 2 singles for the Hawks all season. It wasn't until the Howard County championship that the pair started practicing together.
Cheng spent most of this season playing singles matches until the county tournament when her coach, Rick Robb, decided to switch her to doubles.
In just a few weeks of practice, she and her partner, Huber, took home a state title.
"Her skills at the net are phenomenal. She has good instincts," Robb said.
If Robb can find a male playing partner, Cheng could be a state contender next year, too.
Huber and Cheng won the state title Saturday at the University of Maryland, defeating Patuxent's Cari Hopson and Justin Tabor, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals.
"Our coach thought we had a chance to win states if we played together," Cheng said.
And he was right.
Cheng had played some doubles the previous year but had remained a singles player this season.
"She's a better doubles player," Robb said. "She's a natural at doubles. She has good court presence and knows where the ball is going."
Singles tennis gives one individual all the glory of a victory, but Cheng says she likes doubles better.
"I like the teamwork aspect of helping each other stay calm," Cheng said.
Staying calm was the key to Huber and Cheng's success.
After falling behind in the first set 3-6, the pair had to rally, and Cheng said that was possible thanks to Huber's composure.
"Nathan stayed calm; he didn't get too emotional. That kept me focused," Cheng said.
Said Huber: "We work well together. She gets nervous. I'm calm. I'm good at calming her down."
Robb said Huber's demeanor on the court is essential to the pair's success.
"He's always looking forward to the next point," Robb said.
The coach said that mentality keeps both of them focused.
Huber will be attending Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., next year on a tennis scholarship.
Cheng still has one more season of high school tennis ahead of her, a season that could be capped with another mixed doubles run in the playoffs.
"If we can find a partner equal to Nate, we could bring home another championship," Robb said.