PELLA — In the final match of the 2020 fall season, the Central College women's tennis team rolled to a 7-1 victory over Loras College Thursday afternoon.
Central's (5-3, 5-3 American Rivers Conference) defeat of the Duhawks (3-2, 3-2 conference) was fueled by a 3-0 run through the doubles matches at the start of the contest.
"Collectively, this is probably the best doubles we've played all year," coach
Ryun Ferrell said. "When you get up 3-0 on anybody, you can see the air come out of their balloon."
Karleigh Schilling (senior, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) and
Alyssa Lewton (junior, Ankeny Centennial HS) were 8-3 winners at No. 1 doubles while
Bronwyn Metcalf (junior, Pella) and
Maddie Hartley (junior, Clarinda) won 8-4 at No. 2.
Sarah Schirm (junior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) and
Alex Griggs (sophomore, Knoxville) were able to secure a 9-8 at No. 3.
Alex Griggs returns a shot during the No. 3 doubles match Thursday night
Schilling won her fourth straight singles match, 6-2, 6-2 in the No. 1 slot.
"What a year she has had," Ferrell said. "She's playing her best tennis in her senior year, which is the way it should be. She's willing to work hard and she's gotten better."
Leading the team with a 7-1 singles record this fall, Hartley rallied for a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 triumph at No. 4.
"Maddie is so athletic and she can rely on it so much," Ferrell said. "Today was not her best day, but she's so athletic she can fight and make anyone's life hard."
In other singles matches, Lewton won 6-2, 7-5 at No. 3 and Schirm won 7-5, 6-4 at No. 6.
Central's final place in the American Rivers Conference standings remains undecided pending additional matches for teams around the league this weekend. Currently, Central is tied for third place in the standings.
