LAWRENCE, KANSAS — The bottom of the Central College women's tennis lineup propelled the team to 4-3 victory over Baker University (Kan.) Saturday afternoon.
           
Central (5-8) was victorious at No. 2 and 3 doubles, giving the team the singular doubles point playing in the NAIA scoring format. Then Central got it done at Nos. 4, 5, 6 and singles to complete the win.

"Overall, we had a pretty good day of tennis," assistant coach Alex Griggs said. "All of our doubles looked great and we were being being aggressive, which is great to see since all of our pairings are new this semester."
           
Becca Vala (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS) and Brianna Lindstrom (junior, North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) both went 2-0 for the Dutch. Vala was a 6-2, 6-0 winner at No. 5 singles while Lindstrom won 7-5, 6-3 at No. 6. Vala and Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney (freshman, Misawa, Japan, Robert D. Edgren HS) won 6-4 at No. 2 doubles while Lindstrom and Jenna Hernandez (junior, Slater, Ballard HS) won 6-2 at No. 3 doubles.
           
Alli Kreider (junior, Norwalk) needed three sets to get by Cambrie Frame 3-6,6-0, 1-0 in the No. 3 singles slot.

"Our singles also looked solid," Griggs said. "We were getting every ball back and being smart with our points."
           
Central did all of this without the services of No. 2 singles player Madi Whalen (freshman, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) who was away from the team to attend to a personal issue.
           
The next match for the Dutch is on Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m. in Pella against Concordia University (Neb.).