PELLA —  For the second time this week the Central College women's tennis team lost a 5-4 match to an NAIA opponent, this time losing to Northwestern College on Saturday morning.
           
The young Dutch (5-10) lineup void of any seniors and only two juniors in the singles lineup played another tight affair Saturday against the Red Raiders (5-6).
           
"We looked like a young team," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We played hard. We're improving as we go, we just need to make some smarter choices when we play."
           
Madi Whalen (freshman, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) won both her doubles and singles matches. Playing No. 1 with Jennifer Larson (sophomore, Johnston), she won 8-6. In her No. 2 singles match, she rallied for a 0-6, 7-6 (8-6), 10-7 victory.
           
"She was down 5-0 in that second set and came crawling back," Ferell said. "She started making shots and gaining confidence and did an amazing job.
           
"They are levels better in doubles in the spring than they were in the fall. They're doing some really good things."
           
Winning in singles for the third match in a row were Alli Kreider (junior, Norwalk) and Becca Vala (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS). Kreider won 6-0, 2-6, 10-5 at No. 5 and Vala won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6.
           
"Alli is picking up where she left off in the fall," Ferrell said. "She gets the ball back and drives you nuts. Becca is tough and today was probably some of her smartest tennis. She's such an athlete and I love watching her play."
           
Central hosts Cornell next Saturday at 2 p.m.
           
"We're headed in a good direction," Ferrell said. "We just need to keep moving forward."