PELLA  — Blanking Simpson College 9-0 in the first dual match of the season, the Central College men's tennis team started the season 1-0 Saturday.
           
Central (1-1, 1-1 American Rivers Conference) was swept 9-0 by Luther College (4-2, 2-0 conference) in the second match of the day. The win over the Storm (1-7, 0-3 conference) was the 45th straight in the series between the two teams.
           
"We came out pretty good in doubles but looked slow in singles," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "Once we settled down and found our groove, we took care of business.
           
"Against Luther, we looked like team that hasn't played. Give all the respect to Luther, they are a very good team. There were shots we missed that we normally wouldn't miss in a March match but we just haven't played enough."
           
Against Simpson, Central took all three doubles matches in under an hour, including an 8-0 win from the No. 2 team of David Boschma (senior, Olathe, Kan., Northwest HS) and Trey Melvin (sophomore, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS).
           
Boschma got the nod at No. 1 against Simpson, winning 6-1, 6-4.
           
"It was a nice thing to see David play No. 1," Ferrell said. "He handled the pressure well and did a great job."
           
Melvin made his conference debut in singles matches, securing a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 5 against the Storm.
           
"It was great to see him there," Ferrell said. "He played really well."
           
The No. 1 doubles team of William Isiminger (senior, North Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) and Brad DiLeo (junior, Iowa City, West HS) won 8-3 against Simpson, the same score as the No. 3 team Tanner Finken (junior, Carroll) and Ethan St. John (senior, Crystal Lake, Ill., Central HS).
 
Against Simpson, Isiminger won 6-3, 6-0 at No. 2 and DiLeo won 6-4, 6-2 at No. 3. Rounding out the singles lineup, Finken won 7-5, 6-1 at No. 4 and St. John won 6-3, 6-0 at No. 6.
           
The Dutch return home for a triangular against Buena Vista University and Coe College on April 10.