NorthWood Boys Tennis opened Northern Lakes Conference play Thursday night against Concord, with the Panthers falling 5-0 at the varsity level while the junior varsity squad continued its unbeaten start with a 7-2 victory. The final varsity score did not fully reflect the competitiveness of the match, particularly in doubles, where both NorthWood teams extended their opponents to three sets. At No. 1 doubles, seniors Eli Heckathorn and Ethan Tompos opened with a 6-3 victory over Keller Wesdorp and Drake Weatherholt. Concord responded to take the second set, 6-3, before securing the deciding set, 6-1. The No. 2 doubles tandem of Sebastian Chapman and Colton Ewers also battled through three sets. After dropping the opener 6-3, Chapman and Ewers responded with a 6-4 second-set victory to force a deciding set. Concord's Jackson Fizer and Ethan Lay ultimately prevailed 6-2 in the third. Concord secured the three singles courts in straight sets. Nolan Tompos fell to Grady Johnson 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1 singles, while Carter Rose dropped a 6-1, 6-2 decision to Byron Morelock at No. 2. Aiden McEndarfer battled Drew McEachern at No. 3 singles before falling 6-3, 6-2. NorthWood's junior varsity squad turned in another strong performance, winning seven of nine matches to improve to 3-0-1 overall and 1-0 in the NLC. Jackson Kemp earned an 8-2 singles victory, while Nerick Sanchez won both of his matches by identical 8-1 scores. Brody Freeland was perfect on the night, posting a pair of 8-0 victories. In doubles, Brinqley Parvu-Timmer and Robbie Yoder teamed for two convincing wins, taking their matches 8-1 and 8-0. With the result, NorthWood varsity moves to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in NLC play. The Panthers return home Tuesday, Sept. 1, when they host Triton.