PELLA — A short-handed Central College women’s tennis team fell in a pair of 5-4 matches Saturday.
           
Central opened the day by losing to Northwestern College in the morning before losing by the same 5-4 score later that day to the University of Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.).
           
“In the second match, we had close matches all over the place,” coach Ryun Ferrell said. “We had a bunch of three-set singles matches. It was an insane match.”
           
Becca Vala (junior, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS) had the most wins for Central after winning both of her No. 3 singles matches. Against the Red Raiders in the opener she won 6-0, 6-3 and followed up with a 6-1, 6-1 win against the Eagles.
           
“Becca doesn’t give her opponents an inch,” Ferrell said. “I turn my back and 10 minutes into a match she’s up 4-1 in the first set. “
           
Vala and Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney (sophomore, Misawa, Japan, Robert D. Edgren HS) won 8-4 at No. 2 doubles against Northwestern – St. Paul. Mahoney also won her No. 2 singles contest in that match 2-6, 6-1, 1-0.
           
In the first match, Madi Whalen (sophomore, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) and Keleigh Hall (junior, Keokuk), picked up an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles. Brianna Lindstrom (senior, North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5 singles and Lauren Gano (freshman, Johnston) won 6-0, 6-2 at No. 6 doubles.
           
“That’s not a bad loss,” Ferrell said.  “Northwestern Orange City is a good team. We had chances to win at a few spots that could put the team score in our favor. I saw some good things, but it just didn’t go our way.”
           
The Dutch played both matches without Jennifer Larson (junior, Johnston) and Jenna Hernandez (senior, Slater, Ballard HS), who played the majority of the fall season at No. 1 and No. 3 singles.

Central’s three-match weekend continues Sunday in Mount Vernon for a 3 p.m. match against Cornell College.

           

“We’re focused on the conference tournament at the end of April,” Ferrell said. “Today was another step towards that. We’re not playing our best tennis right now but we are competitive.”