PELLA—The 2020-21 Central College women's tennis season started in dominant finish with a 9-0 sweep of the University of Dubuque Saturday afternoon.
           
Central nearly pulled off three shutouts in doubles, winning the three matches by a combined 24-1 margin. The No. 1 team of Karleigh Schilling (senior, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) and Alyssa Lewton (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) and the No. 3 tandem of Katie Larson (junior, Fort Madison) and Macy Scharff (junior, Oskaloosa) won 8-0. At No. 2, Bronwyn Metcalf (junior, Pella) and Maddie Hartley (junior, Clarinda) were victorious 8-1.
           
It was the first outing for the Dutch (1-0, 1-0 American Rivers Conference) since beating Northwestern College 5-4 on March 13, 190 days ago.
           
"Considering its our first match of the entire season and we haven't played tennis in over half a year, yeah I think it's pretty good," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "I'm proud of what we did, we took care of business."
           
At the top of the singles lineup, Schilling played the tightest match in a 7-5, 6-3 win.
           
"She started out a little anxious and nervous," Ferrell said. "She settled down and started doing what she does best and everything else took care of itself."
           
Lewton, who played fall volleyball in her first two seasons at Central, played her first collegiate match in the fall with a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 3
           
"She makes us that much more of a formidable force," Ferrell said. "She really does add an extra layer of depth."
           
Metcalf won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2 while Hartley, Sarah Schirm (junior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) and Laurynn Mize (senior, Sycamore, Ill.) recorded 6-0, 6-0 shutouts at Nos. 4, 5 and 6, respectively.
           
"We're a really deep team," Ferrell said. "Our four, five and six players are just as solid as our one, two and three players."
           
Central is headed to Indianola next Saturday for a 10 a.m. match against Simpson College.