Oklahoma City, OK (AHN) - A year ago, the Tennessee softball team suffered a shutout defeat at the hands of Arizona in the semifinals of the Women's College World Series. Now, the Lady Vols are looking for revenge.

Monica Abbott had 17 strikeouts on the way to a 3-0 victory over Northwestern in a semifinal game Sunday. It was her third straight shutout of the tournament.

"It's really awesome because we've come so close the past three years," Abbott said.

Tonya Callahan's RBI groundout and Tiffany Huff's sac fly put the Lady Vols up 2-0 in the first inning. Tennessee added one more run and allowed Abbott to do the rest.

The NCAA strikeout queen has only given up eight hits in 21 innings of work during this year's world series. Abbott (49-3) earned her 23rd career no-hitter in a first-round victory.

"I think there's a difference from past seasons to now," Tennessee co-coach Karen Weekly said of Abbott. "I think it's about developing more pitches and working more up and down in the zone, and I think that's made a big difference. And then I think her mental game is outstanding, her poise on the mound, her confidence, her maturity.

"You can just see the focus in her eyes every game here."

Arizona advanced to the title game with two wins over Washington, 2-0 and 8-1.

Arizona cracked Washington starter Danielle Lawrie (31-13) for two runs in the sixth inning of the first game as Sam Banister connected for a two-run double. In the night cap, Jenae Leles finished with four RBIs as Lawrie was hit upon early and often.

Taryne Mowatt (39-11) threw a pair of four-hitters and allowed just one run.

"I hope every one of these kids has grown mentally, and I think at this stage of the game that's what counts," Arizona coach Mike Candrea said. "It becomes a mental war."

Game 1 of the College Softball World Series will begin on Monday at 8 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN2. It will be a best-of-three series with Game 2 coming on Tuesday and, if a deciding Game 3 is necessary, it will take place on Wednesday.