URBANDALE — The Central College women's tennis team bagged a 7-2 win over Simpson College in the first of four American Rivers Conference matches this week.

The win put Central's (5-4 overall) record back over .500 and evened its conference mark at 2-2.

Central's No. 2 tandem of Laurynn Mize (sophomore, Sycamore, Ill.) and Maddie Hartley (freshman, Clarinda) completed the sweep of doubles with a thrilling 9-8 (2) decision.

"They came out of the blocks really fast," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We took our foot off the gas and gave Simpson some confidence. We looked really good from the time we got ahead 5-4."

The No. 1 team of Karleigh Schilling (freshman, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) and Jenna Stewart (senior, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) won 8-3 and the No. 3 duo of Sarah Schirm (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) and Katie Larson (freshman, Fort Madison) won 8-1.

In singles, No. 6 Sami Thompson (senior, Knoxville) got the first conference win of her career 6-1, 6-0.

"She got it done," Ferrell said. "Sami's a ball machine, she gets it back so consistently. Due to some illnesses throughout the year, she's got the No. 6 spot and she's really embracing her opportunity.

Mize won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3 and Schirm won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4. Kirsten Jordan (senior, Clear Lake) picked up the final point of the match 6-2, 6-1 at No. 5
           
The second American Rivers Conference match of the week for the Dutch is Wednesday at Buena Vista University at 3:30 p.m.

"We're going to take some players that haven't had as many opportunities to play,"  "I like our lineup that were going to take. I think we'll still be solid."