‘Today was a big day for us’: Centennial girls sweep doubles to earn their first win

Ankeny Centennial’s Ella Sutherland hits a forehand return during her No. 2 singles match against Des Moines Roosevelt’s Charlotte Kelderman on Monday at the Prairie Ridge courts. Kelderman posted a three-set win, but Sutherland later helped Centennial to a sweep of the five doubles matches as the Jaguars earned an 8-3 victory. (Photo by Dan Holm)

Heading into Monday’s meet against visiting Des Moines Roosevelt, the Ankeny Centennial girls’ tennis team had won only five of its previous 20 doubles matches this season.

The Jaguars equaled that victory total during the non-conference matchup.

The two teams split the six singles matches, but Centennial swept the five doubles matches–all of them in straight sets–to post an 8-3 win at the Prairie Ridge courts. It was the first victory of the season for the Jaguars (1-4), while Roosevelt’s record dropped to 1-1.

“Today was a big day for us!” said Centennial coach Alli Gustafson. “It was great to see the girls put into play so many of the things we have been working on in practice so far this fall.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Talia Baca prepares to serve the ball during her No. 1 singles match against Des Moines Roosevelt’s Lillian From. Baca prevailed in three sets. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Talia Baca, Avery Bohnenkamp and Anna Pedersen each won their singles matches for Centennial. Baca posted a three-set win at the No. 1 spot, then teamed up with Ella Sutherland for another victory at No. 1 doubles.

“We had a strong showing in doubles,” Gustafson said. “Talia and Ella had an especially strong performance, taking advantage of opportunities at the net and confidently putting away volleys. Avery also had a strong day in singles, using her consistency and patience to outlast her opponent.”

The Jaguars will host a CIML Conference meet against Dowling Catholic on Thursday. The Maroons are 1-0 in the league and 2-1 overall.

“We are proud of the growth shown already this season and are looking forward to our meet on Thursday!” Gustafson said.

**Ankeny Centennial’s Laura Schulz hits a forehand return during her No. 3 singles match against Des Moines Roosevelt’s Bonneu Pourian. Pourian won in straight sets. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Here are the match-by-match results from Monday’s meet:

Ankeny Centennial 8, Des Moines Roosevelt 3

Singles: Baca beat From, 6-2, 2-6, 1-0 (4); Kelderman (R) beat Sutherland, 2-6, 7-6 (6), 1-0 (8); Pourian (R) beat Schulz, 6-0, 6-3; Bohnenkamp beat H. Jacobs, 6-0, 6-0; Pedersen beat Sidon, 7-6 (4), 6-2; Chung-Dineen (R) beat Heyer, 7-5, 6-4.

Doubles: Baca-Sutherland beat From-Kelderman, 6-3, 6-1; Schulz-Bohnenkamp beat Pourian-H. Jacobs, 6-3, 6-3; Pedersen-Makovec beat Sidon-Cullenward, 6-1, 6-0; Heyer-Oliver beat V. Jacobs-Zuck, 6-4, 6-3; Wetrich-Evans beat Dang-Lockett, 6-4, 7-5.