CEDAR RAPIDS — Starting out its spring season, the Central College women's tennis team was defeated 5-4 by Coe College while using 12 different players Tuesday afternoon.
           
Playing in its first dual match since October 22, the Dutch (5-4) took a different approach to their lineup. Coach Ryun Ferrell used his varsity doubles lineup from the fall and won two of three matches.
           
Karleigh Schilling (senior, Swisher, Cedar Rapids Prairie HS) and Alyssa Lewton (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) were 8-4 winners at No. 1 doubles while Sarah Schirm (junior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) and Alex Griggs (sophomore, Knoxville) won 8-1 in the No. 3 slot.
           
"We started a little slow," Ferrell said. "We looked better as the match progressed."
           
Moving into singles play, Ferrell played six different players including four freshmen.
           
"It was a lot of fun to get back out there," Ferrell said. "You could tell it was our first match. We're limited in the spring so we need to employ a different attitude. We need to get as many people playing as possible."
           
Alli Krieder (freshman, Norwalk) was a 2-6, 6-3, 6- 1 winner at No. 3 singles. Ashlynn Brant (sophomore, Glidden, Carroll HS) was a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 6
           
"Our singles lineup did a lot of things right," Ferrell said. "Most of thme are still really young and show that our future is bright."                                                  
           
Central hosts Simpson College Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.