Dutch women get first tennis win of the spring

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The bottom of the Central College women’s tennis lineup propelled the team to 4-3 victory over Baker University (Kan.) Saturday afternoon.

Central (5-8) was victorious at No. 2 and 3 doubles, giving the team the singular doubles point playing in the NAIA scoring format. Then Central got it done at Nos. 4, 5, 6 and singles to complete the win.

Becca Vala (sophomore, Omaha, Neb., Elkhorn HS) and Brianna Lindstrom (junior, North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) both went 2-0 for the Dutch. Vala was a 6-2, 6-0 winner at No. 5 singles while Lindstrom won 7-5, 6-3 at No. 6. Vala and Jenna Mitsuko Mahoney (freshman, Misawa, Japan, Robert D. Edgren HS) won 6-4 at No. 2 doubles while Lindstrom and Jenna Hernandez (junior, Slater, Ballard HS) won 6-2 at No. 3 doubles.

Alli Kreider (junior, Norwalk) needed three sets to get by Cambrie Frame 3-6,6-0, 1-0 in the No. 3 singles slot.

Central did all of this without the services of No. 2 singles player Madi Whalen (freshman, Kansas City, Mo., Park Hill HS) who was away from the team to attend to a personal issue.

The next match for the Dutch is on Tuesday, March 21 at 4 p.m. in Pella against Concordia University (Neb.).