By MATT GOLDBERG

Herald-Whig Sports Writer

Two years ago Fran Cortez and Isaac Fee came out of nowhere.

The Quincy High School doubles teammates weren't even in the Blue Devils' top six until a few weeks before sectionals -- let alone on anyone's radar to make the state tennis tournament.

But during the 2006 Springfield Sectional, the two sophomores were tied one set apiece with a pair of Chatham Glenwood seniors in a match that would send one duo to the state tennis tournament and end the other's season.

"(Cortez and Fee) had nothing to lose," QHS coach Mike Terry said. "They weren't supposed to be there anyway. They weren't supposed to go to state. They really turned on and played a great third set -- very inspired. That was it. That was the moment they arrived."

The two triumphed against the seeded opponent to advance to the state tournament.

Now they are the veterans, with an 18-5 record this season and two trips to state under their belts.

And they hope for a third appearance by qualifying at next week's Springfield Sectional.

Once they've earned a spot at state, the trip hasn't lasted as long as they hoped.

In 2006, Cortez and Fee lost the first match at state, won the second and lost the third.

Last season they finished 2-2 at state -- winning the first and third match and losing the second and fourth.

This season, as seniors, they are hoping to advance further thanks to lessons learned in previous trips.

"It's a matter of just serving well, getting your first serves in and then just hitting your returns because once me and Isaac are up at the net, we usually just finish the points," Cortez said.

This is their fourth year playing doubles together.

That experience and the friendship they share help these two on and off the court.

"We just have some team chemistry," Fee said. "We know where we're going to hit the ball. You can make plays because of that. That's a big reason why."

The players have experienced success since switching to the I-formation last season. Communication is imperative in this set since the non-serving player -- who is crouched in the center of the court -- flashes signs to the server. The signals tell the other where to place the serve and the direction of the ensuing volley.

"We know each other really well, so we can play the net really well," Cortez said. "That's pretty much the most important thing you can do in doubles."

Right after the pair switched to the formation, they were defeated by an opponent running the same I-set.

"We saw kind of how hard it was to defend it," Cortez said. "We just kept trying it and it got better so we stayed with it."

Terry said the two players have different playing styles that complement one another.

"Isaac is a little more powerful," Terry said. "He hits the ball a lot flatter (with) not much spin. And that works well. His service returns are pretty accurate and he keeps the ball low -- which is very important in doubles because if the ball gets up above the net and the other team is able to move in on it then you lose position. So he's really good at that."

Cortez relies on his speed to glide across the court.

"(Cortez) has got a lot of finesse," Terry said. "He knows how to use different spins. He has a lot of touch. He's really a complete player. He's got a lot of variety in his game. ... Together, they just really work well because of that."

The two play both singles and doubles during the regular season.

So why don't the two just stick with singles and try to make state individually?

"Doubles is more exciting," Cortez said. "You both are just into the match. I think doubles gets more attention actually at state because more people watch it than singles. ... I think it's because there are two people getting into the match and they start yelling and all of that excitement. And it's quick. It's way quicker."

-- mgoldberg@whig.com/221-3367