By Tommy Keeler Jr. -- Daily Staff Writer

STEPHENS CITY — Nicky Lee knew he had to get a grip and stay composed on the court.

The vocal Sherando freshman had just lost a very close set at No. 3 singles to Millbrook's Walter Battin and he realized how important his match was.

"I just didn't want to lose," Lee said. "I thought maybe he would let up after winning the first set. I just wanted to stay focused for the team. I knew the team needed me."

Lee turned things around and helped give the Warriors a 5-2 Northwestern District tournament semifinal win over Millbrook on Friday. The Warriors will play the winner of Monday's Handley-James Wood semifinal on Tuesday in the finals at Millbrook.

Lee lost the first set in a tiebreak, 7-1, but responded by winning the next two sets, 6-0, 6-2. His victory gave Sherando a 4-2 lead after singles.

"Nicky can get down on himself sometimes," Sherando coach Steve Jennings said. "He has very high expectations. I think once he was able to calm down a little he was fine. Nicky is a very vocal player."

Lee, who has a tendency to yell at himself throughout matches, said being so vocal helps his game.

"Usually when I say something I'm telling myself what I need to do and that helps me," Lee said. "I think if I didn't do it, I would implode on the court. I have to let it out."

Sherando's Scott Sottosanti and Christian Van de Crommert clinched the match at No. 1 doubles. The Sherando pair rallied for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 win over Millbrook's Trae Drexler and Ben Golden.

Drexler and Golden took charge early in the match and controlled play at the net, but Sottosanti and Van de Crommert were able to turn things around.

"At first we didn't know what to do," Sottosanti said. "Then we just started playing more aggressively. I think that's the best we've played in doubles all year."

Sherando's No. 1 doubles team won the last three games of the second set and once they had the momentum, they didn't look back. A forehand volley winner by Van de Crommert sealed the win.

Sottasanti also pulled out a three-set win over Drexler at No. 1 singles.

"After I won the first set, I just had trouble keeping my rhythm going," Sottosanti said. "After losing the second set, I just tried to think about what I needed to do."

Millbrook (10-4) had to adjust its lineup for the match after usual No. 3 singles player Chris Northrup tore his MCL earlier in the week. The Pioneers still gave the Warriors (12-3) a battle. Sherando was able to win three of the four 3-setters.

"I think the conditioning really helped in the end with not being tired at the end of matches," Jennings said.

A Handley win over James Wood in the semifinals on Monday would give the Warriors a Region II berth. Sherando's program has struggled for several years, but this year it has finally turned the corner.

"It would be awesome to get to regionals," Sottosanti said. "We have a lot of talent. Nicky and [transfer] Trevor [Scott] have made a huge difference."

*Contact Tommy Keeler Jr. at tkeeler@nvdaily.com

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