DUBUQUE— After losing the doubles point in a tiebreaker, the Central College women's tennis team took five out of six singles matches to grab a 5-2 win against Loras College.
           
Madi Whalen (junior, Kansas City, Mo., Elkhorn HS) and Kalina Schubert (senior, Newell, Newell-Fonda HS) were the lone doubles match winners when they won 6-3 at No. 3 doubles. Becca Vala (senior, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn) and Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney (junior, Misawa, Japan, Robert D Edgren HS) battled at No.2 doubles but lost in a tiebreak 7-6.
           
"It was a solid win, and it was a match we started slow but kept battling," said coach Ryun Ferrell. "We started moving our feet and making shots. Games turned into sets and sets turned into match wins. It was incredible to watch this team. They fought hard and would not be denied the win."
           
The Dutch (5-4, 3-2 American Rivers) won three of the singles matches in three sets. Mahoney won her match 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2, Vala won 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 at No. 3 and Lauren Gano (sophomore, Johnston) won 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 at No. 4.
           
"Vala is one of the toughest players I have coached," Ferrell said. "It was a great match to watch. She started running everything down and got her opponent frustrated after the first set. (Vala) had a plan, and she was disciplined to follow the plan and grab the win."
           
Emily Blom (freshman, Pella) took care of business at No. 5 singles winning 6-0, 6-3. Keleigh Hall (senior, Keokuk) won at No. 6, 6-1, 6-4.
           
The Dutch have three matches this week starting when they host Buena Vista University Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Pella High School tennis courts