CEDAR RAPIDS — Battling until the very end, the Central College women's tennis was defeated 5-2 by Wartburg College in the American Rivers Conference tournament semifinals.
           
It marks the end of the season for the No. 4 seed Central (13-11) while the No. 1 seed Knights (18-4) advanced to the championship match.
           
"We feel good about how we played," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "It's sad that we lost, but the players we have coming back for next year are going to be even more hungry to win."
           
The Dutch lost two out of three doubles matches, but Bronwyn Metcalf (freshman, Pella) and Maddie Hartley (freshman, Clarinda) put together an 8-1 drubbing in the No. 2 spot.
           
"They came out of the blocks fast," Ferrell said. "They beat up on a junior and senior from Wartburg. It was really something to watch."
           
Senior Jenna Stewart (senior, Burlington, Notre Dame HS) picked up a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win in the No. 1 spot in the last match of her collegiate career, the 51st victory of her career.
           
"That's a huge way for her to go out," Ferrell said. "She lost her first set but was able to raise her level. The emotion and intensity took over and she stuck it to her."
           
Stewart, alongside Kirsten Jordan (Clear Lake) and Cassidy Bos (Geneseo, Ill.) were Central's only seniors this spring. Jordan lost 6-1, 7-5 at No. 2 singles Sunday.

Four of Central's six singles players from Sunday return next fall, as well as Karleigh Schilling (sophomore, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) who was the No. 1 singles player in the fall but is currently studying abroad.
           
"We've got a nice nucleus coming back," Ferrell said. "They're coming back mainly as sophomores and juniors. The future is looking pretty good for us."