WAVERLY — In its final dual meet of the fall season, the Central College women's tennis team was defeated 7-2 by Wartburg College Saturday morning.
           
The Dutch (4-7, 3-5 American Rivers Conference) finish the fall season in sixth place in the league standings.
           
"We had chances at No. 2 and 3 doubles and we let it slip away," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "If we win those two, we start to feel good about our chances. It's hard to win five out of six in singles if you go down 0-3 in doubles."
           
Alli Kreider (junior, Norwalk) earned a three-set win for at No. 5 singles. After dropping the first set, she rallied for a 1-6, 6-0, 1-0 win. Krieder went 6-2 in the No. 5 slot for Central this fall.
           
"She was trying to do a little too much in the first set," Ferrell said. "She was able to get back to the basics and take it to her opponent."
           
Ashlynn Brant (senior, Glidden, Carroll) was a 6-3, 6-1 winner at No. 6 singles.
           
"She has lost a total of three times in over a year," Ferrell said. "She's the steadiest competitor on our roster. She knows exactly what she is and how she can play and gives it every single time."
           
Central closes out its fall season with an appearance in the American Rivers Conference individual tournament next Friday and Saturday in Decorah.    
           
"It's another step in our journey," Ferrell said. "I just want to see us take the next step. We've been taking little steps all season. We're playing the long game and keep improving throughout the entire year, not just this fall."