ORLANDO, FLA.— The Central College women's tennis team finished its trip to Florida with a 5-2 win against Wittenberg University in the first match, but fell 4-3 in the second match against Transylvania University.
           
In the morning match, the Dutch were dominant in their win over Wittenberg. They won two doubles matches to secure the point. Keleigh Hall (senior, Keokuk) and Madi Whalen (junior, Kansas City, Park Hill HS) won 6-3 at No. 2 doubles and Abbie Den Adel (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) and Emily Blom (freshman, Pella) shut out the Tigers No. 3 doubles team 6-0.
           
"The team was in control the whole match and it was a great win for them. They played really well," said coach Ruyn Ferrell. "Hall and Whalen played aggressive at No. 2 doubles and looked good, Den Adel and Blom also looked good and played the way they wanted."
           
In the singles matches, Wittenberg won Nos. 1 and 2 singles, but the Dutch won in straight sets at the other four matches. Emma Murphy (sophomore, Liberty, Mo.) won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, Blom took care of business 6-3, 6-2 at No. 4, Hall battled for a 6-2, 7-5 win at No. 5 singles and Kalina Schubert (senior, Newell, Newell Fonda HS) rounded the match off with a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles.
           
"Murphy is finding her way," Ferrell said. "She is moving on the court better and she is played well."
           
In the second match of their day the format was different, playing the singles matches first and he Pioneers and Central would split the singles matches. Murphy bounced back after losing the first to win in a tiebreak at No. 3 singles, Blom won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4 and Hall also came from behind to win in three sets at No. 5.  
           
"Our women were gritty and tough to battle back after losing the first set," Ferrell said.
           
In the doubles matches Transylvania was able to take Nos. 1 and 3 while Hall and Whalen won 6-4 at No. 2 doubles.
           
"It was a long and hard day, but our women took it head on," said Ferrell. "I am so proud of how hard they played. Because of these tight matches we will be more mentally prepared for the rest of the season, and I am excited to see how it plays out."
           
The team will continue to get in form for the American Rivers tournament when it welcomes Truman State University (Mo.) into H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse Wednesday at 4 p.m.