SAINT PETER, MINN. — Trey Melvin (junior, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) earned a first-round win at the ITA Division III Midwest Regional Friday for the Central College men's tennis team.
           
In the 128-man field, Melvin won his opening round match 6-2, 6-4 over Peter Naylor of Concordia University (Wis.). He dropped his second match against Max Loen of Luther College 6-2, 6-3.
           
"Trey has been playing with a ton of maturity," assistant coach Trevor Budewitz said. "He showed a good combination of skill and intelligence in both matches."
           
Brad DiLeo (senior, Iowa City, West HS) lost his first round match 6-4, 6-2 against Logan Snyder of Concordia and Ryan Mitchell from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater defeated Tanner Finken (senior, Carroll) 6-0, 6-2
           
MIDWEST OPEN – Additional members of the Dutch squad competed in both singles and doubles at the Midwest Open Friday, a secondary tournament held in conjunction with the regional.
           
Caleb Hamerlinck (junior, Huxley, Ballard HS) won his first two singles matches, securing a 6-3, 6-4 win over Wartburg College's Shimon Yonekura and a 6-3, 6-2 win over Nik Kasa of Bethany Lutheran College (Minn.). He was bounced 6-0, 6-2 by Ethan Hietala of Saint Mary's University (Minn.).
           
"Caleb's athleticism was a huge asset for him," Budewitz said. "His game is developing to match his athleticism which is exciting."
           
Ayden Fletcher (freshman, Waukee) also went 2-1 on the day. He won 6-1, 6-0 against Garrett Janssen of Wartburg College and 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) against Jake Peters of Concordia University – Moorhead (Minn.). He lost 6-2, 6-3 against Dylan Wiemers of Luther College.
           
Ayden plays with so much heart," Budewitz said. "He came out really strong and finished strong. He played tough tennis all day."                                                                                                 
           
Jacob Alden (senior, Ames, Ballard HS) lost his only match 6-1, 6-4 against William Chhim of Grinnell College and Matthew Den Adel (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) lost his only match 6-3, 6-2 against Joseph Haag of Wartburg College.
           
Central will have three doubles pairings in the Midwest Open on Saturday.