ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst women's tennis team slipped to 1-4 on the season following a 5-4 loss to North Central College.

Elmhurst jumped out to an early lead by taking two of three doubles but contests, but North Central (2-3, 1-1 CCIW) rallied to win four of the six singles matches and earn the one-point victory. 

In doubles action, Kathryn Wheeler and Chiara Gaudio combined to blank NCC's duo of Tiffany Smolik and Reagan Scherpe 8-0 at No. 2. The Bluejays' Meg Simon and Dacey Maglaque stopped Mackenzie Ferrell and Rena Kawakami 8-5 at No. 2 doubles. North Central's Diana Barcelata and Morgan House narrowly tipped Rachel Rettger and Ysabel Gonzaga 9-8 at No. 1 doubles. 

The Bluejays won two contests in singles play. Rettger dispatched Katie Lerorreta 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles while Wheeler handled Smolik 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4 singles. North Central scored wins at No. 1, No. 5 and No. 6 singles to knot the team score at 4-4. The dual was decided at No. 2 singles when House edged Gonzaga in three sets (7-5, 4-6, 6-3). 

Elmhurst plays at the ITA regional at Oberlin College this weekend (September 22-24).