PELLA— Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney (junior, Misawa, Japan, Robert D. Edgren HS) battled after losing the first set to come back and win her singles match and clinch the victory for the Central college women's tennis team.
           
Mahoney won her No. 2 singles match 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. With this win Central (7-4, 5-2) defeated Warburg College 4-3.
           
"I kept telling (Mahoney) you are tough, I kept repeating that to her," said coach Ryun Ferrell. "Whenever her opponent would hit a big winner, she stayed tough and after a while pressure comes around. Some people when pressure comes, they feel they need to do something amazing. When something amazing does not happen, we can get a win."
           
The Dutch won the doubles point with a pair of 6-3 victories. Madi Whalen (junior, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) and Jennifer Larson (senior, Johnston) won at No. 2 doubles. Becca Vala (senior, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS) and Mahoney won at No. 3 doubles. The lone doubles match loss came in a tiebreak.
           
In the other singles matches Vala won 6-2, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Emily Blom (freshman, Pella) continued her strong play winning 6-1, 6-3 at No. 6.
           
"There was no denying the team today," Ferrell said. "They played really hard, and they didn't quit. That's what makes this team special. They don't stop and that is exciting to see."
           
The Dutch have a very quick turnaround when it finishes the team portion of its fall season and hosts Coe College at 10 a.m. Saturday back on the Pella High School tennis courts.