PELLA — The Central College men's tennis team rolled past St. Ambrose University on Friday night by a 7-2 margin.

Central (4-4) has won seven-straight matches against the Bees (4-5) dating back to 2008.

The Dutch went 2-1 in doubles matches, winning at No. 2 and No. 3 by 8-4 margins. Trey Melvin (junior, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) and Ayden Fletcher (freshman, Waukee) played together at No. 2 and Brad DiLeo (senior, Iowa City, West HS) and Caleb Hamerlinck (junior, Huxley, Ballard HS) were at No. 3.

"We came out of the blocks a little slow, but once we got going, we were good," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "It's tough playing at home during the week because we get out of class and get done to the courts as fast as possible.  This team takes a little while to get going."

Kevin Lopez (freshman, Storm Lake) made his varsity singles debut at No. 6, triumphing 6-1, 6-0.

"He's been working really hard and improving a lot," Ferrell said. "He's one of those players we need to start getting some experience because I think he's going to help us a lot in the near future."

Melvin was a 6-4, 6-1 winner at No. 2 singles and DiLeo pitched a 6-0, 6-0 shutout at No.3. Fletcher won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4 and Matthew Den Adel (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 5.

"Singles looked a little better this week than it did last week," Ferrell said.
           
Central hosts Baker University (Kan.), Ferrell's alma mater, Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.
           
"They're a little short-staffed but we'll see what they can bring," "It'd like to think we'd have a good shot to bring them down but we've got to play the match."