GRINNELL — Grinnell College provided another tough challenge for the Central College women's tennis team leading up to the American Rivers Conference tournament, defeating Central 9-0 on Friday afternoon.

The Pioneers (14-6) handed the Dutch (11-10) their fifth defeat of the spring. Central finished fourth in the American Rivers Conference during the fall season but has faced more talented teams in preparation for the conference tournament at the end of the month.

"I'd like to play that team outside," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "They'd probably still beat us, but that's a tough surface and they play on it all the time. We played fine, they're just a really veteran team. We left a lot of things on the table."

 "We're ready for the league tournament. We just need to clean some things up over the next two weeks."

The closest match of the day was at No. 2 doubles where freshmen Maddie Hartley (freshman, Clarinda) and Alyssa Lewton (freshman, Ankeny, Centennial HS) lost 8-4.

"They are two competitive people who hate losing more than they like winning," Ferrell said. "They played really well, but they are freshmen. They did some things that hurt them a bit, but they don't stop until it's over."

Sophomore Laurynn Mize (Sycamore, Ill.) was the final singles match off the courts, losing 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5.

Central hosts Simpson College (7-10) in a non-conference match on Sunday at 4 p.m.