WAVERLY — A 2-1 advantage in the doubles matches swung the match in favor of the Central College men's tennis team for a 5-4 victory against Wartburg College Thursday.
           
Central (3-2, 3-2 American Rivers Conference) secured the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles matches against the Knights (9-10, 3-2 conference) before splitting the six singles matches.
           
"I think doubles is one of our strongest suits," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "Playing in the middle of the week is always tough. We played ugly but even on a bad day we were able to come out with a victory. It's always a good day when you beat Wartburg."
           
Senior David Boschma (Olathe, Kan., Northwest HS) and sophomore Trey Melvin (sophomore, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) led the Dutch with 2-0 outings. Boschma was 6-2, 6-0 winner at No. 2 singles and Melvin picked up a 6-2, 6-3 decision in the No. 6 slot. The duo won 8-2 at No. 2 doubles.
           
"It's so fun to watch them play doubles because there's not much talking when they are on the court," Ferrell said. "It's almost like they can feel each other out. They were aggressive and moved the ball well. They did a great job of manipulating the court."
           
Tanner Finken (junior, Carroll) and Ethan St. John (Crystal Lake, Ill., Central HS) were victorious 8-6 at No. 3 doubles, the narrowest margin of the doubles matches
           
"A cold and windy day is kind of an equalizer on a tennis court," Ferrell said. "Balls that would have normally gone long for their opponents were landing in. Balls that Tanner and Ethan normally put away we're coming back. We just played tough and won ugly."
           
Brad DiLeo (junior, Iowa City, West HS) had the fifth win for Central, 6-2, 6-1 at No. 4 singles.                                                                                                  
           
The Dutch have a noon match at Nebraska Wesleyan University on Saturday.