Identical twins and doubles tennis partners Anne and Andrea d’Aquino have gotten used to the occasional double- takes when they step on a tennis court.

The head-swiveling reaction from opponents is something the Squalicum juniors use to their advantage when it comes to the mental back-and-forth of the game. But after a regular season that saw the d’Aquinos become one of the better tennis teams in Whatcom County, it’s their skill on the court, and not their looks, that’s been turning people’s heads of late.

The duo enters today’s Class 3A Northwest District tournament in Arlington as the top seed from the Northwest Conference and have a good chance to lock up one of two seeds to the state tournament.

“I think for some of the people that we play it’s a little intimidating that we’re twins,” Anne d’Aquino said in a phone interview. “People think we can read each other’s minds or something. Because we know each other so well and we’re so close, I think that helps us, but we can’t really read each other’s minds.”

Though the perceived telepathic powers of twins might be better suited for Hollywood than high school tennis courts, there is no doubt that something special happens when the two play. Since becoming the Storm’s No. 1 doubles team this season, they’ve put together a 13-6 record in a conference that features the defending Class 2A state champions and the runners- ups.

“I think people we play can underestimate us because we came right from exhibition play to the No. 1 spot,” Andrea d’Aquino said in a phone interview. “We’ve even surprised ourselves a little bit. I don’t think we thought we would do this well.”

A big reason for their success is the way they complement each other on the court. Andrea brings a good backhand while Anne’s strength is her forehand. One is better at the net, the other better along the baseline. It’s not something they have necessarily worked on, it’s just happened that way.

“We’ve played with other people before like at practice or whatever, but it’s never really the same,” Anne said.

The two gutted out a close win at the sub-district tournament on Saturday, coming back from a 5-4 deficit in the second set to beat Mount Vernon’s Maddie Starkovich and Theresa Strachila 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, and take the top seed from the NWC.

It was the type of match that showed how far the two have come since started the game as freshmen.

“More than anything I think we do a really good job of keeping each other up,” Andrea said. “We can always tell when each other is having a hard time and I think we try to help each other. It makes it more fun.”

The duo also has something else in mind that will make tennis that much more fun — reaching the state tournament.

That’s the ultimate goal for the two this season and one they’ve got their sights firmly set on. The d’Aquinos meet Mya Nguyen and Alysia Letourneau of Everett in the opening round of the district tournament.

“I just want to see how far we can go,” Andrea said. “I really want us to get to state, and I think that’s something we can do.”

The two will also be rooting for their older sister, Aurea d’Aquino and her doubles partner Danielle Grant at the district tournament this week. Aurea, a senior, plays on Squalicum’s No. 2 doubles team.

“Some people think it would be tough to play your older sister in doubles, but I love it,” Anne said. “They are our best competition at practice and they make us better. Physically it’s difficult, because they are a good team for us to play. It’s all just fun.”

And even when things get tense on the court or at home, as they can from time to time with siblings, the d’Aquinos usually find a reason to smile.

“Anne is definitely my best friend,” Andrea said.