NorthWood’s Alex Jesse needed three sets to get past Angola’s Ellie Aldred Tuesday at the Elkhart Central Girls Tennis Regional. (File photo by Mike Deak)

ELKHART – NorthWood girls tennis head coach Tif Schwartz has mentioned more than once that her team just wants a chance to prove itself. That chance will come Wednesday night.

NorthWood knocked out Angola, 4-1, in the semi-finals of the Elkhart Central Girls Tennis Regional to set up a rematch with Northern Lakes Conference rival Concord. The Minutemen were also a 4-1 winner over Westview, setting up not only an NLC showdown for the semi-state berth, but a rematch of last year’s regional final and the third time in as many years as the two have met in the regional.

NORTHWOOD 4, ANGOLA 1

NorthWood’s singles remained unbeaten in this year’s tournament, but really had to fight to maintain that status.

Gretchen Adams showed little affect of the injured ankle she suffered at the NLC tournament, plowing past Sydney Craig 6-1, 6-1. Reegan Miller had a tougher match on her hands, holding off Jaden Davis 6-4, 6-3, and after splitting the first two sets 6-1 either way, Alex Jesse was able to withstand Ellie Aldred 7-5 in the third to sweep the singles courts.

NorthWood’s doubles tandem of Caroline Mullet and Kate Stillson ran past Lizzie Gomez and Chloe Hutchins 6-0, 6-2 and Angola gained its lone point in a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 win from Bailey Pelliccia and Paige Powers against Riley Graber and Lauren Mikel.

NorthWood will continue its march to a regional title, having lost to Concord 5-0 a year ago, and also losing to the Minutemen, 5-0, in the regional semis in 2017. During this year’s regular season, Concord beat NorthWood 4-1 in Dunlap. NorthWood’s only regional title came in 2009.

CONCORD 4, WESTVIEW 1

Business as usual for the two-time defending regional champions.

All five courts were straight sets, Concord showing power in doubles by losing just three games between its No. 1 team of Keegan Thursby and Lauren Pollock and its No. 2 team of Kelsee O’Dell and Kaylee Price.

Regan Landis had to work to earn a 6-3, 6-4 win against Lauren Riegsecker while Meaghan Godzisz found sledding smoother against Madison Kresse, 6-1, 6-1. Kelby Christner salvaged Westview’s lone point in a 6-1, 6-2 victory against Lauren Boessler.

Concord is seeking its fourth regional title, and are still hunting for its first-ever semi-state title if its able to advance to the weekend.