PELLA — The Central College men's tennis team fell on the road Thursday night, dropping a 6-3 match against Wartburg College.

It's the first Central (7-8, 3-3 American Rivers Conference) loss against Wartburg since 2016.

"We just came up a little short but it wasn't for a lack of effort," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We had every chance to win."

Central started in a 2-1 hole after the No. 3 doubles team of Brad DiLeo (senior, Iowa City, West HS) and Caleb Hamerlinck (junior, Huxley, Ballard HS) won 8-2.

"Wartburg came out a little better than us in doubles," Ferrell said.

Nick Scott (sophomore, Fort Benton, Mont., Great Falls Central Catholic HS) won a dominant 6-3, 6-0 match at No. 4 singles.

"Nick figured some things out against his opponent," Ferrell said. "We came up with a game plan and Nick executed it perfectly."

Trey Melvin (junior, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) secured a win at No. 2 singles in a 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) marathon.

"Trey ebbed and flowed a bit," Ferrell said. "But he just flat out wouldn't quit. Even when he wasn't playing well, he kept pumping himself. He was down 6-3 in the tiebreaker and he came back to win five straight points and the match."
           
The Dutch travel to Dubuque on April 23 for matches against Loras College and the University of Dubuque.