Storm win 5-4 thriller over Central
INDIANOLA, Iowa -- In a match that spanned over four hours, Simpson women's tennis made a comeback to defeat Central, 5-4, for the program's first victory over the Dutch since April 16, 2013.
"We bounced back very strong after yesterday's match at Wartburg," said head coach Faith Bliss. "I'm really impressed with the no-quit mentality our team is showing. Megan Grubb had an excellent showing today, and we had huge wins by Donni Kinghorn and Emily King."
As the match sat 4-3 in favor of Central (1-1, 1-1 A-R-C) inside the Buxton Tennis Complex, junior Emily King and sophomore Donni Kinghorn reeled off triumphs in singles play to turn the tide and notch the American Rivers Conference win for the Storm (2-1, 2-1 A-R-C).
King opened her match at No. 2 singles with a 6-2 win, but dropped the next one 6-1 to Bronwyn Metcalf to even things. The Friendswood, Texas native bounced back for a 6-1 victory to knot the match at 4-4.
The No. 5 singles match of Kinghorn and Sarah Schirm was far from boring as both battled back-and-forth in hopes of pushing their team over the edge during the league bout. Kinghorn had the upper hand after winning the first set, but Schirm tied things up after the second. In the third, Schirm grabbed a 5-2 margin, but Kinghorn fought back to force the match into a tiebreaker, which she eventually won 7-5 to clinch it for Simpson.
After doubles play, Central had a 2-1 tilt while Simpson's duo of Anna Wanek and King won 8-3 at No. 1 singles to move to 2-1 as a pair this season. The Dutch won the first singles match before Megan Grubb was victorious at No. 3 singles to put the match at 4-2.
Wanek remained perfect for the season at No. 1 singles, but it did not come easy. The junior jumped out to a quick 6-1 victory in the first set, but was forced to a tiebreaker in the second, which she came away with for a 7-4 win. Her victory was the first of three straight for Simpson to close out the conference battle.
Up Next
Simpson looks to carry the momentum into tomorrow's match on the road at Nebraska Wesleyan. The contest will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Singles competition
1. Anna Wanek (SIM) def. Karleigh Schilling, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
2. Emily King (SIM) def. Bronwyn Metcalf, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1
3. Megan Grubb (SIM) def. Alyssa Lewton, 6-1, 6-1
4. Maddie Hartley (CEN) def. Kennedi Wright, 6-0, 6-1
5. Donni Kinghorn (SIM) def. Sarah Schirm, 6-1, 0-6, 7-6 (7-5)
6. Katie Larson (CEN) def. Aubrey Ocheltree, 6-1, 6-0
Doubles competition
1. Anna Wanek/Emily King (SIM) def. Alyssa Lewton/Karleigh Schilling, 8-3
2. Maddie Hartley/Bronwyn Metcalf (CEN) def. Kennedi Wright/Megan Grubb, 8-6
3. Alex Griggs/Sarah Schirm (CEN) def. Donni Kinghorn/Lorin Miller, 8-0
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (6,3,4,1,2,5)
