Jack Wysong and playing partner Landon Holland advanced in the state individual tennis tournament Thursday in a three-set win over Northridge. (File photo by Mike Deak)

DUNLAP – In what had to be bittersweet match Thursday, NorthWood’s doubles duo lived to fight another day.

The No. 1 dubs team of Jack Wysong and Landon Holland defeated Evan Nay and Aaron Cripe of Northridge in the Individual Doubles Sectional Championship by a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. The two teams made the individual tourney after each of their full teams were beaten in the Concord Regional earlier this week. Northridge lost to Westview Tuesday, then Westview knocked out NorthWood on Wednesday. And in each case, the one doubles teams stayed alive with wins against the Warriors.

It was the third time this season the Panther duo took down the Raider team, the first in the round robin and then later at the Northern Lakes Conference Championship semi-finals.

Wysong and Holland are 5-0 in the state tournament with wins over Goshen, Jimtown, DeKalb, Westview and Northridge. For the season, the two seniors are 25-1, it’s only loss coming against DeKalb at the DeKalb Invite.

“I think in the first set, they were definitely feeling “lonely” with this being the only match being played,” said NorthWood head coach Tif Schwartz. NorthWood lost to Westview, 3-2, in the team regional finals Wednesday evening. “Once they were able to get over that, they started playing better and talked a lot more as well. It was definitely different for them seeing all their teammates in the stands but I think they will get a lot of support and that will make them feel like a team still.

“They will still get to practice as a team. We will try to keep it as normal and routine as possible. They are excited to see what they can accomplish.”

NorthWood’s one dubs will play in the Individual Doubles Regional in Portage next Saturday, Oct. 19.  The opponent will be determined in the coming days.