DECORAH — Central College women's tennis players Madi Whalen (freshman, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) and Ashlynn Brant (senior, Glidden, Carroll HS) advanced to the semifinals of their brackets at the American Rivers Conference individual championships.
           
The Dutch had 15 players in action Friday across three flights of singles and two flights of doubles.
           
"I saw some really neat things," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We won a couple of matches in A singles and looked good in doubles."
           
Alex Griggs (senior, Knoxville) was an 8-4 winner in her first A-Flight singles match against Alyssa Stevenson from the University of Dubuque.  Brianna Lindstrom (junior, North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) won 8-3 in her first A-Flight singles match Greta Wostoupal of Nebraska Wesleyan University. Both Dutch players lost their second-round match.
           
Whalen took down all three opponents she faced Friday, including a seeded player from Loras College.
           
"It was a coming out party for Madi," Ferrell said. "To be unseeded and make the semifinals as a freshman is impressive."
           
Brant won a pair of matches and advanced in the second round after her schedule opponent withdrew from competition.
           
"Ashlyn is one of the most steady competitors you'll find," Ferrell said. "She systematically got it done today."
           
Semifinals matches start at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Dutch will also play as many consolation matches as the schedule allows for.