PELLA — For the third American Rivers Conference match in a row the Central College women's tennis team won 5-4, this time against Simpson College Saturday afternoon.
           
Central (5-5, 3-0 conference) took a different path to this 5-4 victory, winning all three doubles matches for the first time in conference play against the Storm (2-2, 2-2 conference).
           
"We haven't swept the doubles yet in conference so that was nice to see," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We've talked all week about not quitting and we showed that today."
           
At the top of the doubles, Alyssa Lewton (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) and Maddie Hartley (senior, Clarinda) battled for an 8-6 win.
           
"Simpson's No. 1 team is good," Ferrell said. "It was good to take them down."
           
Central won handily at the other two doubles spots. Bronwyn Metcalf (senior, Pella) and Jennifer Larson (freshman, Johnston) were 8-1 winners at No. 2 and Sarah Schirm (senior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) and Katie Larson (senior, Fort Madison) matched that score in the No. 3 slot.
           
Schirm and Katie Larson secured the team victory for Central as the only two singles winners. Larson won 6-0, 6-3 at No. 4 singles and Schirm won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 5.
           
"You have to give credit to Sarah and Katie," Ferrell said. "They got the ball back all match and took care of business."
           
Central will try to make it a 4-0 start in league matches at Buena Vista on Wednesday.
           
"Buena Vista is an improved team from past years," Ferrell said. "We'll see what we can do against them."