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Associate mug of Kenny Connolly, Anaheim reporter.

Date shot: 12/31/2012 . Photo by KATE LUCAS /  ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

TUSTIN – Nathan Nguyen and Kevin Wong have been nothing short of great this year while playing as the top doubles team for Northwood’s boys tennis team.

The Timberwolves duo has only dropped one set all season, but on Wednesday evening, they found themselves in a rare situation: trailing and facing a crucial set point.

What initially looked to be a mishit volley from Wong ended up being a game-saving winner that prompted a come-from-behind set victory and reenergized the pair down the home stretch.

With a tad bit of luck, Nguyen and Wong went unbeaten again Wednesday, lifting No. 4 Northwood past Foothill, 12-6, in a nonleague dual match at Hillview High.

“There’s a lot of pressure on them,” Timberwolves coach Eric Keith said. “They want to break the record at our school in terms of how many sets they’ve won. We have some fun with it and joke around with it. They still have a long way to go, but today they showed their ability to fight back.”

Northwood (9-2) jumped out to a 4-2 lead after the first round of sets. Freshman Jeff Mah earned a critical 7-5 win over Foothill’s Nathan Richardson in the opening round, giving the Timberwolves a two-set advantage as opposed to a tie.

“For him to pull it out – especially in the first round – you get a little momentum going which is good for the team,” Keith added.

Foothill (6-3) looked as if it would remain only two sets back headed into the final round as Justin Nevins and Jake Dickson held a 5-3 doubles lead over Nguyen and Wong. The Timberwolves top pair fought back and won four straight games, giving Northwood the point and an 8-4 advantage after two rounds.

Foothill senior Stefan Doehler went 3-0 in his single sets, accounting for half of his team’s points.

Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com