Sept. 19, 2009

Central squads down St. Ambrose

PELLA—Central College again used strong doubles play to take an early lead and the Dutch men’s and women’s tennis teams each defeated St. Ambrose Univ. by 6-3 scores Saturday.

The Central women (6-4) got a victory at No. 1 doubles by Sara Dale (junior, Marshalltown) and Stephanie Gibbons (junior, Ankeny) and at No. 3 doubles with Trinh Le (sophomore, Des Moines, North HS) and Riley Taylor (sophomore, Tama, South Tama HS). It was the second straight strong outing for Taylor, who was thrown into the lineup due to an injury to Faith Bliss (senior, Ottumwa).

Gibbons, Kayla Donner (sophomore, Metamora, Ill., Metamora Township HS), Jaime Ruisch (freshman, Pella) and Carissa Bane (junior, Des Moines, Southeast Polk HS) were victorious at Nos. 3-6 singles, respectively, sending St. Ambrose to 2-3.

The Dutch journey to Ames Tuesday to take on Buena Vista Univ. at 4 p.m. at Ames High School. The Beavers took a 0-5 record into Saturday’s match with Morningside College. Central defeated BV 7-2 last year at Fort Dodge and holds a 28-0 advantage in the all-time series.

Men improve to 2-2—The Central men evened their record at 2-2 by using a similar formula. Jacob Dreyer (junior, Cedar Falls) and Seth Harris (sophomore, Waverly, Neb.) won at No. 2 doubles while Jacob Veldhuizen (sophomore, Wausau, Wis., East HS) were winners at No. 3. Dan Bowser (junior, Fort Dodge) took No. 2 singles while Harrris, Veldhuizen and Jesse Wineland (sophomore, Pella) won at Nos. 4-6 singles, respectively.

The match unofficially closes Central’s abbreviated fall men’s schedule although coach Steve Tyler said an additional match could still be added.