But the Golden Bears' second-doubles team saw the benefits of practicing against Paige Murphy and Kara Richardson at the Division I district tournament held last Friday and Saturday at Hilliard Davidson.

Pema and Cloern are among five UA players who qualified for the state tournament, which will be held Friday at Ohio State and Saturday at Davidson. The duo finished fourth at district, losing to Murphy and Richardson 6-0, 6-3 in a consolation final. Joining the doubles teams at state is Niki Flower, who defeated Olentangy Liberty's Alex Power 6-3, 6-2 in the championship match at singles.

"(Making it on to the state) hasn't sunk in yet, but hopefully it will in a little bit," Pema said. "We're just really excited right now. Every practice we were going against Paige and Kara, and that really helped us. We've worked hard all season long. Every practice has been working toward this moment."

"It's a real proud moment," said Cloern, who moved to second doubles after the Bears lost to Dublin Jerome 3-1 on Sept. 14 in the second round of the OTCA team tournament. "At the beginning, (playing doubles) might have been a little bit of a struggle, but we got through it. We worked hard and stayed together. It all worked out in the end."

The Bears advanced all but one of their district qualifiers. The exception was junior Adrienne Jenq, who lost to Westerville North's Abby Lewis 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of singles play.

Five is the most state qualifiers UA has had since 2005 when it advanced six. That year, Christine Johnston and Sydnee Bridger qualified in singles and Mary-Charlotte Mak and Gretchen Cloern, Elaine's older sister, and Jayne Miely and Jackie Mason advanced in doubles.

"(Getting five to state) is a great accomplishment," said coach Shaun Stamps, whose team tied Rocky River Magnificat for the most state qualifiers in Division I. "(Doubles) was so tough, especially with all the singles players playing doubles this year. It was great for us to get (both doubles teams) through. I'm proud of all the girls."

At state, Flower faces Clayton Northmont's Marianne Bonanno in the first round, with the winner playing Perrysburg's April Weaver or Akron Firestone's Christine Coffman in a quarterfinal. Coffman lost in the first round at state last year.

Cloern and Pema face Natalie Robson and Brittany Miller of Richfield Revere in the first round, with the winner playing Chagrin Falls Kenston's Victoria Marchant and Mandy Marchant or West Chester Lakota West's Ashleigh Witte and Tori Turner in a quarterfinal. Witte and former partner Amanda Lin won the state title last year.

Murphy and Richardson open against Allie Wasilko and Noelle Kaufmann of Magnificat, with the winner playing Liberty Township Lakota East's Carolyn Pitman and Taylor Holden or Mayfield's Mitsuki Fukamachi and Joy Warner in a quarterfinal.

Three of the Bears' qualifiers are making return trips to state. Flower has qualified in singles and doubles, losing to Avon Lake's Nikki Chiricosta 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 in the first round in 2007 and placing second at doubles last season with graduate Stacey Cox after losing to West Chester Lakota West's Ashleigh Witte and Amanda Linn 6-1, 6-4 in the final.

Murphy and Richardson also competed at state last year, losing to Toledo St. Ursula Academy's Morgan Bechtel and Maddie Eccleston 7-6, 6-3 in the first round.

Stamps said the experienced players must help Pema and Cloern prepare for their state debut.

"Niki knows just about every girl that she plays. She's ready," Stamps said. "This is just one step closer to her ultimate goal.

"With the help of Kara and Paige, Caroline and Elaine are going to know everyone there is going to be just as nervous as they are. For some people, it will be their first time at states. And for others, it will be their second or third. But the main thing is you are there. Anything can happen."

UA improved to 15-2 overall with a 4-1 win over Pickerington Central on Oct. 15.