Central's winning streak ends at 24

The Tigers fell 5-2 to Nerinx Hall for their first loss since the 2003 season.

For the first time in 25 dual matches, Central's girls tennis team came out on the losing end.

The Tigers had not lost a dual match since the 2003 season before a 5-2 loss to visiting Nerinx Hall on Saturday.

Central fell to 10-1 in duals this season.

"I told them early in the season a loss isn't the end of the world," Central coach Annette Slattery said. "It's kind of better if you're going to lose, have it early in the season. ... This is probably not the best time of the year to have a loss, but it's a good wake-up call."

The match was played in a four-three format, something common in the St. Louis area. Unlike the typical format the Tigers play where there are six singles and three doubles -- players typically play in both singles and doubles -- under the three-four format there are four singles and three doubles and players only play one or the other.

"You can't use that as an excuse," Slattery said. "We have used that format against Oakville and Lindbergh and did well."

Both of Central's wins on Saturday came in singles play. Dani Gross was dominant in No. 1 singles, defeating Laura Maher 6-1, 6-1. Gross was broken on her serve to start the match, but cruised from there.

"She's been pretty strong for us all year long," Slattery said of Gross. "She has the type of game that frustrates other players."

Claire Segar also won in No. 4 singles 6-0, 6-1. The two other singles matches -- Monica Toole in No. 2 and Kristen Ford in No. 3 -- both came down to 6-4, 6-4 scores. Central also lost a pair of 7-5 sets in doubles play.

"I didn't think we played badly, I just don't think we played as consistently," Slattery said. "Our biggest strength, according to what other coaches have told me, was our consistency is better than last year."

Central will be tested again Tuesday with a match at Dexter. After that, the Tigers just have two duals left before the district tournament which begins Oct. 5 at Central.

"You've got to see how you bounce back from it," Slattery said. "We have some of our biggest matches coming up."

Nerinx Hall 5, Central 2

Singles -- 1. Dani Gross (C) def. Laura Maher 6-1, 6-1; 2. Sara Casperson (N) def. Monica Toole 6-4, 6-4; 3. Ashley Siemers (N) def. Kristen Ford 6-4, 6-4; 4. Claire Segar (C) def. Sarah Hampel 6-0, 6-1

Doubles -- 1. Pam Ganer-Leslie Gainer (N) def. Sarah Ford-Lindsey Pingel 6-4, 6-0; 2. Margaret Huber-Colleen Blossner (N) def. Paige Foley-Jill Blattner 7-5, 6-2; 3. Jessica Rollings-Margaret Moore (N) def. Carsen Bahn-Karrie Moll 7-5, 6-1

JV winners -- Singles, Paige Kinder; Doubles, Sami Gross-Brooke Morris, Emily Hiett-Lauren Tobin