Hilary Baehr Oct. 4, 2008

Central splits against Luther, Wis.-River Falls

DECORAH—Hilary Baehr (senior, Des Moines, Roosevelt HS) recorded four wins for Central College Saturday as the Dutch fell to Luther College 6-3 in the morning, but bounced back in the afternoon match to beat the Univ. of Wis.-River Falls 6-3. Against Luther, Baehr and Stephanie Gibbons (sophomore, Ankeny) won their No. 2 doubles match against Kelsie Allen and Brynne Zinnecker 8-5 and at No. 1 doubles Faith Bliss (junior, Ottumwa) and Kayla Donner (freshman, Metamora, Ill., Metamora Township HS) beat Alana Humpal and Kathryn Nichols 8-5.

Baehr’s second win of the day came at No. 1 singles over Humpal, 6-4, 6-4.

The Dutch closed the regular-season dual-meet schedule with an 8-7-1 record, including a 5-3 mark against Iowa Conference opponents.

Central’s three wins against Luther were the most it has recorded in a dual meet against the Norse since 1979, though the teams did not play each other in dual matches from 1990-2002.

“I think the morning match against Luther is a testament to the players and the fact that the gap between us and Luther is narrowing,” said Central coach Bryan Mours. “Playing that well in the morning at this point of the season is more than I could ask for out of them. It shows how committed they are to playing at a high level.”

Against Wis.-River Falls, Central again took two of three doubles matches, with Bliss and Donner winning at No. 1 doubles and Baehr and Gibbons winning at No. 2 doubles.

Central won three of four three-set singles matches. At No. 6  Emily Swartz (freshman, Eldora, South Hardin HS) defeated Mindy Rudiger 7-6, 2-6, 10-6, at No. 5 Katie Williamson (sophomore, Pella) beat Stacia Kozel 6-2, 4-6, 10-7 and at No. 4 Gibbons beat Lindsay Gillman 2-6, 6-4, 10-7. At No. 3 singles, Donner pushed River Falls’ Katie Lynn Anderson the distance, but fell 6-2, 1-6, 15-13.

Baehr’s fourth win of the day came at No. 1 singles over Kathryne Ostrowski 6-3, 6-0.

“Hilary’s got the toughest job on the team, facing the number one (player) from each school,” said Mours. “We knew from the beginning of the season that it was going to be tough for her mentally and physically, but that we just needed to stay the course.                                                                                                

“She’s really playing some phenomenal tennis now, and it’s the right time to have it happen.”

Central is among six schools qualifying for the Iowa Conference Team Championship at Iowa City Friday and Saturday, which utilizes a dual-meet format. The Dutch will likely carry the No. 4 seed and take on No. 5 seed Simpson. Central edged Simpson 5-4 in a dual at Pella Sept. 9. Central placed third in the league last year.