KANSAS CITY, MO. — In its first competition of the spring semester, the Central College women's tennis team lost to NCAA Division II William Jewell College (Mo.) 4-3 on Monday afternoon.

The Dutch (8-6) hadn't played a match since October 6 while the Cardinals (4-6) have played 10 matches since February 1.

"The tough part is you get done in October after playing and practicing for two months and that's what you remember," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "Your perception is that you'll be able to play at that level again really fast when the spring starts. The reality is that you aren't there right away."

Playing under Division II rules, Central won two of three doubles matches and earned the point. Maddie Hartley (freshman, Clarinda) and Bronwyn Metcalf (freshman, Pella), who transferred to Central in January, won 7-6 at No. 2 doubles. Sarah Schirm (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) and Katie Larson (freshman, Fort Madison) won 6-4 at No. 3.

"We had five freshmen and one senior in the doubles lineup and we won two out of three against a Division II team. I think that was kind of neat to see and it's pretty exciting for the future of the program."

Hartley had a three-set victory in singles, dumping Meredith Houk 1-6, 6-4, 10-5 in the No. 5 slot. The freshmen spent the last few months with the Dutch women's basketball team.

"She didn't play the greatest in the first set," Ferrell said. "She played somebody who has only been practicing for two weeks. She settled down and made it a very physical match."

Larson also notched a 6-2, 6-3 win against Julia Yamate at No. 5 singles.

"Katie is a stud," Ferrell said. "She doesn't know how to miss, doesn't know how to quit. She'll fight your tail off until the ball bounces twice. We're so pleased with which she was able to do today."

Central is headed to Topeka, Kansas for a 8 p.m. dual against Washburn University (Kan.) on Tuesday.