GRINNELL — The Central College men's tennis team dropped a pair of tough decisions Sunday with a 9-0 loss against Grinnell College before falling to Truman State University 6-3.

A daunting schedule for the Dutch (0-2) kicked off with a road match against a top-Division III team (Grinnell) and a Division II squad (Truman State).

"We played tough," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We looked better in the second match than in the first. I was pleased with the effort."

Against the Bulldogs, Sam Dykstra (sophomore, Pella) went 2-0. He topped his No. 3 singles opponent 6-4, 6-7, 10-7. Partnering with Tom Palmer (junior, Pella)
at No. 3 doubles, he won by an 8-5 margin.

Starting the season at No. 1 singles for the first time, junior Garret Taylor (Creston) raced to a 6-4, 6-3 victory against Truman State.

The season continues next weekend with a dual against Concordia University (Neb.) in Des Moines on Saturday afternoon.

"We've got a lot of work to do," Ferrell said. "That's okay, because if we are playing our best tennis already than it's going to be a long year. We're looking forward to next week."