PELLA — Three tightly-contested doubles matches swung the momentum in favor of Luther College in a 8-1 victory over the Central College women's tennis team Friday night.
           
Central (4-5, 3-3 American Rivers Conference) started the match with an 8-3 victory at No. 3 doubles from Macy Scharff (sophomore, Oskaloosa) and Katie Larson (sophomore, Fort Madison) for a 1-0 advantage.
           
"They've figured some things out and have been working on them," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "I give credit to both of them, they played great and executed what they worked on."
           
The Dutch were narrowly defeated by the Norse ( ) 8-7 at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. The top duo of Bronwyn Metcalf (sophomore, Pella) and Maddie Hartley (sophomore, Clarinda) even trailed 5-0 before rallying to tie it at 6-6.
           
"We had chances to sweep doubles," Ferrell said. "If we do that, it's a completely different match. Even if we just win one of them, it's a completely different match."
           
Central trailed 2-1 after doubles before Luther was victorious in all six singles matches.
           
"Once Luther got two out of three in doubles, they relaxed and played well," Ferrell said.
           
Larson pushed the No. 4 singles bout to a third set before losing 4-6, 6-2, 10-5. Sarah Schirm (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) also went to a third set at No. 6 singles and dropped the match 5-7, 6-2, 10-7
           
On Saturday morning, Central will host Wartburg College for at 10 p.m. match in Pella at the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex tennis courts. Poor weather conditions could move the contest inside to H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse.