Emily Swartz Sept. 16, 2008

Central comes up sort against Graceland

 

PELLA—The Central College women’s tennis team traveled to Lamoni Tuesday, and came up short against NAIA opponent Graceland 7-2.

 

The Dutch played a trio of close doubles matches, but could only came away with an 8-5 victory at No. 2  as Hilary Baehr (senior, Des Moines, Iowa, Roosevelt) and Stephanie Gibbons (sophomore, Ankeny, Iowa) beat Carolina Verdevoto and Valeria Heina.

“I thought we played well especially in doubles,” said Dutch coach Bryan Mours. “If a few more balls had bounced our way I think we could have swept the doubles matches.”

Central’s other win came at No. 5 singles, where Emily Swartz (freshman, Eldora, Iowa, South Hardin) defeated Laura Barriga 6-2, 6-7, 10-7.

Despite the loss to Graceland, Mours said that the team is in a good spot right now.

“We faced a much improved team (in Graceland) than we did a year ago,” Mours said. “They were at full strength tonight and they’re a very good team.

“I think the girls are in a good place right now both mentally and physically the way they’ve been playing, but tonight just wasn’t our night. I think there were just some bounces that didn’t go our way that could have really given us some momentum.”

The Dutch travel on to Kirksville, Mo. for a pair of matches Wednesday, meeting NAIA foe Stephens (Mo.) at 9:30 a.m. and Division II Truman State (Mo.) at 1 p.m. Central didn’t meet Stephens last season but was subdued by Truman State at Pella 7-2.