Central stumbles in spring break tennis opener

Central College

DALLAS (TEXAS)—In their first match on an outdoor court this spring, the Central College men’s and women’s tennis teams struggled to win the close ones as both teams fell to the Univ. of Texas-Dallas Monday. The men dropped an 8-1 match, while the women fell 7-2 in their spring opener.

Sophomore Bryn Boswell (Pella) secured Central’s only victory on the men’s side, pulling through in a battle that needed three tiebreakers to determine a winner.

“Bryn played lights out,” coach Steve Tyler said. “He stayed really focused and played his game. He didn’t get caught up in the moment.”

Central (3-10 overall, 2-9 spring) also hung with the Comets (7-3) throughout doubles play, but like many other matches this season, the Dutch were unable to find a way to win.

“The name of the game was winning doubles,” Tyler said. “We played well against a good team and we were right there. We were as close as you can get without winning.”

Snagging two wins for the Dutch on the women’s side were senior Sara Dale (Marshalltown) and freshman Samantha Wills (West Burlington). At No. 1 singles, Dale breezed past Mindy Tiu 6-3, 6-1, and at No. 6 singles, Wills won 6-4, 5-0.

“Samantha really stepped up,” Tyler said. “She was down 4-2 in the first set and came back to win. She won the mental game and it was a delightful day for her.

“Dale also had a nice day,” Tyler said. “She is just a battler and grinds out the points.”

The women were without usual starters Stephanie Gibbons (senior, Ankeny) and 2010 all-conference selection Kayla Donner (junior, Metamora, Ill., Metamora Township HS), as well as Riley Taylor (junior, Tama, South Tama HS), who are all studying abroad for the semester.

“For the first showing of the season and having to slide some players up, I thought we played quite well,” Tyler said.

Central faces Howard-Payne Univ. (Texas) tomorrow morning for a men’s-women’s matchup at 11 a.m. (Eastern Time).

“I’m anxious to get right back out on the court and start winning the close ones,” Tyler said.