Westlake’s Emma Peeler advances to semifinal

Westlake senior Emma Peeler is in uncharted waters.

In her fourth trip to the Division I state tournament, Peeler was victorious in the first two rounds to advance to Day 2 and guarantee herself a spot on the podium.

Peeler won her first round match with Dublin Jerome’s Reagan Resor, 6-0, 6-2, before facing off with Cincinnati Turpin’s Caitlin Fisher in a quarterfinal match. Peeler defeated Fisher, a fellow four-time state qualifier, 6-3, 6-3, to advance to the semifinals, which will be played on Oct. 20.

It is the second time Peeler has advanced out of the first round of the state tournament, as she advanced Peeler to the quarterfinals in 2016.

The road does not get any easier for the Demons’ senior, as she is slated to face a familiar opponent in four-time state qualifier Kelli Niehaus of Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame in her quarterfinal.

Peeler and Niehaus have faced off twice in the state tournament, with Niehause besting Peeler 6-4, 6-4 last year in the first round and 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 in 2015.

The other semifinal matchup features defending state champion and Avon Lake resident Anna Roggenburk of Magnificat facing teammate Olivia Rondini.

In doubles action, the Westlake tandem of Demi Jhaveri and Ashley Michelich were unable to duplicate their 2017 run, as the seniors fell in the first round, 6-3, 6-3, to Cincinnati St. Ursula Academy sophomore Bella Kirby and senior Gabby Gockerman.