The intensity was palpable as Sidwell Friends teammates Sara Abouzeid and Natalie McIntosh battled for the D.C. State Athletic Association singles title Thursday. With every point in the back-and-forth match, the freshmen would wince, groan in frustration or silently pump a fist when a close call fell in their favor.

That is, until Abouzeid scored the final point in their 10-point tiebreaker, winning 2-6, 6-3, 10-8, clinching a successful title defense for the Quakers (14-0) and yelling toward the sidelines in a mix of celebration and relief at Southeast Tennis and Learning Center.