PELLA — Playing at home and outdoors for the first time this spring, the Central College women's tennis was shut out by St. Olaf College (Minn.) 9-0 Friday afternoon.
           
The Oles (3-1) provided a tough challenge for the Dutch (7-7) coming out of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, one of the most respected Division III leagues.
           
"They're a good team," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We need to be playing as many good teams as possible so we are ready for the conference tournament in April.  The thing I love about this squad is we continue to better and better on every point. We were playing much better at the end than we did at the beginning."
           
The tightest matches between the two teams happened at the No. 5 and No. 6 single spots. Senior Sami Thompson (Pella) was defeated 6-2, 2-6, 10-6 at No. 5 while Alex Griggs (freshman, Knoxville) led 7-5 early before falling 5-7, 6-4, 10-6 at No. 6
           
"Alex played some of the best tennis I've seen in her short career here," Ferrell said. "Sami is who she is, she's going to get the ball back and fight all day long. She never stops."
           
Griggs and Macy Scharff (sophomore, Oskaloosa) fell 8-6 at No. 3 doubles as well.
           
Even with the loss, Ferrell left with optimism.
           
"It was a great day," Ferrell said. "I was very excited to see what this team can do. I like it when we play against great competition because the team really rises the challenge and plays tough. We're looking to learn as much as we can and be ready for the end of April."
           
Central returns to the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex tennis courts Wednesday at 4 p.m. for a match against Concordia University (Neb.).