Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 GRINNELL — Getting its first win of the season, the Central College men's tennis team won 5-4 against Grand View University Saturday afternoon before dropping an 8-1 match to the hosts from Grinnell College.

Central (1-2) got a big boost from its No. 1 doubles squad against the Vikings after Tanner Finken (senior, Carroll) and Nick Scott (sophomore, Fort Benton, Mont., Great Falls Central Catholic HS) secured an 8-7 win.

"They were down a break and came back to win that match," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "Those two got the ball rolling in the right direction."

Ayden Fletcher (freshman, Waukee) rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 5 singles before Scott clinched the match with a 7-6, 7-5 victory at No. 4 singles.

Grand View only had five players, giving Caleb Hamerlinck (junior, Huxley, Ballard HS) a forfeit win at No. 6 singles and Hamerlinck and Brad DiLeo (senior, Iowa City, West HS) a forfeit win at No. 3 doubles.

"It's the first time in four years we've taken them down," Ferrell said. "They're always a good team with a lot of international flair and talent."                   

DiLeo and Hamerlinck registered the only point of the match against the Pioneers with an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles.

"It was a nice solid day overall," Ferrell said. "We looked better as the day went on. I'm very pleased with our progress today."
           
Next Saturday, Central has a 1 p.m. match in Cedar Rapids against North Central College (Ill.) before battling Monmouth College (Ill.) in Iowa City at 6 p.m.

"North Central could very well the best team we've played so far this season," Ferrell said. "Our team is hungry and we took steps in the right direction today."