PELLA — A 2-1 advantage propelled the Central College women's tennis team to a 5-3 win over Wartburg College in the American Rivers Conference tournament quarterfinals Tuesday.
           
The Dutch (10-11) will make their 11th consecutive appearance in the tournament semifinals Thursday at No. 1 Luther College
           
Central raced out to wins at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to start the night. Becca Vala (junior, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS) and Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney (sophomore, Misawa, Japan, Robert D. Edgren HS) won 8-3 at No. 2 while Jennifer Larson (junior, Johnston) and Madi Whalen (sophomore, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) won 8-2 at No. 3
           
"Our No. 2 doubles team makes a lot of serves and returns," Ferrell said. "They work it to where Jenna rips a ball and allows Becca to attack at the net.
           
"No. 3 doubles plays fast and hard. They go after you right away and that's what they are good at."
           
Mahoney gave Central a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 3 singles and Vala won 6-2, 6-2 at No. 4.
           
"We took care of business at 3 and 4 singles and that set the stage," Ferrell said.
           
Because the match was held indoors, only four matches were playing at a time. The last two matches on the court were Emma Murphy (freshman, Liberty, Mo.) and Lauren Gano (freshman, Johnston) at No. 5 and No. 6 singles. Murphy won the race to score the deciding fifth point with a 1-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory. Gano split with her opponent 6-2, 2-6 before the match went unfinished.
           
"Murphy came out of the blocks super slow," Ferrell said. "Lauren came out fast and then her opponent started warming up. But Murphy settled down and end up winning it for us."
           
The Dutch get another shot at Luther after losing 9-0 on September 9.
           
"Luther is the cream of the crop," Ferrell said. "We're going to pick a fight and see what happens."