CEDAR RAPIDS— Three shutout wins in singles play propelled the Central College men's tennis team to a 5-1 win in the quarterfinals of the Iowa Conference tournament Friday afternoon.
           
The Dutch (15-11, 6-2 conference) advance to the league's semifinal round for the sixth consecutive year with the victory over the Spartans (5-12, 3-5 conference). Central has won the last three meetings between the two programs in postseason action.
           
"We were a little flat-footed starting off," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We settled down and took care of business and beat them like we should. We kept them from getting excited about anything."
           
It was the bottom half of the singles lineup, No.'s 4-6 that bagged the 6-0, 6-0 wins: William Isiminger (freshman, North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS), CJ Cliff (senior, Decorah) and David Boschma (freshman, Olathe, Kan., Northwest HS).
           
"Our depth has been great," "We are just really blessed with a lot of talent. It's been nice to have this year."
           
Cliff and Jacob Logan (senior, Bettendorf) won 8-5 at No. 2 doubles. Jimmy Cunningham (senior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) and Scott Wilson (senior, Urbandale) also were victorious 8-1 at No. 3 doubles.
           
"I would have like to have seen doubles play a little better." Ferrell said. "No. 2 doubles grinded it out while No. 3 doubles really came out of the blocks fast and looked great."
           
Central will get a rematch with Luther College Saturday at 9 a.m. in the semifinals at the Veterans Memorial Tennis Center in Cedar Rapids. The Norse (19-4, 7-1 conference) blanked the Dutch 9-0 last weekend in Pella.
           
"Luther has had our number the last few years," Ferrell said. "I told the guys 'we need to be very disciplined in doubles and stick to the plan.' We'll have to come out of the blocks in a smart way, not necessarily a fast way."