PELLA— The Central College women's tennis team lost in the first round of the American Rivers Conference tournament 4-3 against Loras College Tuesday.
           
"We were right there all day long but couldn't gain the momentum in a couple matches to get us through the finish line," said coach Ryun Ferrell.
           
The Dutch earned the doubles point winning at Nos. 1 and 3. Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney (junior, Misawa, Japan, Robert D. Edgren HS) and Becca Vala (senior, Omaha Neb., Elkhorn HS) won 6-1 at No. 1 and Madi Whalen (junior, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) and Keleigh Hall (senior, Keokuk) won 6-4 at No. 3.
           
"We looked really good in doubles," Ferrell said. "Our No. 1 doubles team beat a good team, and our No. 3 team battled from down 3-0 and won six of the next seven games."
           
The Duhawks won four of the six singles matches to secure the win. Vala won her match 6-3, 6-0 and Emily Blom (freshman, Pella) won 6-1, 6-0.
           
The match was 3-3 as Mahoney's match at No. 1 singles went into a third set. Mahoney lost the first set 6-3, before winning 6-2 in the second set but ultimately fell 6-4 in the third set.
           
"She is tough and showed everyone she could battle with the best in the league," Ferrell said.
           
This match ends the season for the team, and it finished 10-13 overall and 5-3 in American Rivers Conference matches.
           
"We are going to miss our seniors, and the returners and freshman are going to need to step up next year," Ferrell said.