PELLA — Winning a handful of close matches, the Central College men's tennis team outlasted Wartburg College for a 6-3 victory on Wednesday night.
           
The win over the Knights (12-8, 2-2 American Rivers Conference) makes it three straight conference wins for the Dutch (8-7, 4-1 conference).
           
"Today was a nice win," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "It's always a tough match when these two teams line up, it doesn't matter what the records are."
           
The No. 1 singles match between Central's William Isiminger (sophomore, North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) and Wartburg's Lucas Huffman ended with Isiminger pulling out a 7-6, 7-6 win.
           
"Every match Will plays is going to be tough," Ferrell said. "He's learning what it's like to play at that spot. He won the first set and kind of took his foot off in the second set. He's realzing he can't do that and he's getting smarter match-by-match."
           
Freshman Brad DiLeo (Iowa City, West HS) also won 7-6, 7-6, but at No. 5 singles.
           
"Brad maybe didn't play the greatest," Ferrell said. "But he played tough and didn't quit."
           
Kris Weeden (junior, Des Moines, Dowling Catholic HS) and Ethan St. John (sophomore, Crystal Lake, Ill., Central HS) also snared singles wins at No. 4 and No. 6.
           
During doubles, Isiminger and DiLeo won 8-2 while St. John and Josh Phillips were victorious at No. 3 by an 8-3 margin.
           
"Our No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams have been looking good as of late," Ferrell said.
           
Central will continue its run through the American Rivers Conference with a road trip to Buena Vista University an 11 a.m. match on Saturday.
           
"We've still got some work to do," Ferrell said. "We'll go to Buena Vista this weekend before we play Simpson and then finish the season with Luther at the end."