WAVERLY—For the second Saturday in a row the Central College women's tennis team was defeated 5-4 in American Rivers Conference action, falling to Wartburg College on the road.
           
Central (1-2, 1-2 conference) had chances to knock off the unbeaten Knights (8-0, 5-0 conference) but couldn't find the fifth point. It was eerily familiar to a 5-4 loss at Simpson a week ago.
           
"We played better than last weekend and that that's our goal right now, to improve week by week," coach Ryun Ferrell said.
           
Karleigh Schilling (senior, Swisher, Cedar Rapids, Prairie HS) and Alyssa Lewton (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) accounted for three of Central's four points. The duo won 8-3 in the No. 1 doubles contest before each won their singles matches. Schilling was victorious 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles while Lewton rallied for a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win at No. 3 singles.
           
"They played tough and smart," Ferrell said. "They did what they do best and took care of business in doubles. Karleigh's singles opponent beat her in three sets last year so it was good to see her turn that on its head this year. Alyssa found a way to get it done in a singles match where she was running out of gas."
           
Maddie Hartley (junior, Clarinda) moved to 3-0 on the season with her 6-0, 7-5 triumph in the No. 4 singles slot.
           
"Maddie came out of the blocks really fast which can be dangerous," Ferrell said. "The thing that she'll have to learn is to either start off a little slower, or just kind of maintain where she's at and not try to do too much and just double down where she's at."
           
Central is back in action Sunday in Decorah for a 2 p.m. match against Luther College.
           
"We're in this for the long haul," Ferrell said. "If we do something great now that's awesome, but if we're looking more towards April and being ready to play our best tennis then. We're just looking to clean everything up and get better week by week."