DES MOINES—Shaking winter's rust off, the Central College women's tennis team made its 2018 debut with a come-from-behind 5-4 victory at Grand View University Friday afternoon.
           
Playing its first of eight non-conference duals before the Iowa Conference tournament begins on April 27, the Dutch (9-2) had to rattle off four wins in singles to overcome a 2-1 hole after the three doubles matches.
           
"We were a half-step behind where we were in October," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We played tough but we looked like we hadn't played in a while."
           
Freshmen Laurynn Mize (Sycamore, Ill.) and Alivia Gerstein (Iowa Falls, Iowa Falls-Alden HS) kept Central from getting shut out in doubles with their 8-1 win at No. 3 doubles. Mize gave Central a 6-3, 6-2 victory at No. 5 singles as well.
           
"Laurynn really made an impression on us in the individual conference tournament in October," Ferrell said.  "She's a very cerebral player and will do whatever it takes to win."
           
Getting her first varsity win at No. 6 singles, Cassidy Bos (junior, Geneseo, Ill.) overcame some early struggles to knock off Kelly French 7-5, 6-1.
           
"Cassidy was trying to play a little big early," Ferrell said. "She realized that if she stuck to what she can do, she could win. She toned it down and made a lot of shots."
           
Karleigh Schilling (freshman, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) was victorious 6-2, 6-2 at No. 2 singles while Jenna Stewart (Burlington, Notre Dame HS) won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3 singles.
           
The next team on the schedule for the Dutch is a road trip over spring break to play Aurora University on Thursday, April 15.
           
"As a coach, you kind of want to get that first match out of the way and over with," Ferrell said. "They'll get a break between now and (the Aurora match). They'll come and we'll get ready to take them on in a few weeks."