PELLA — On the final day of the regular season, the Central College men's tennis eam won 8-1 at the University of Dubuque and 6-3 at Loras College Saturday.
The Dutch end the regular season at 9-8 and 5-3 in the American Rivers Conference. They are assured at least a fourth-place finish, pending other results around the league.
"I'd say this was probably some of the smartest tennis we've played," coach
Ryun Ferrell said. "That's something we've been harping on them for the last week and I was proud of how they responded."
Trey Melvin (junior, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) led the Dutch with a 4-0 day. At No. 2 singles, he won 6-1, 6-2 against Dubuque and 6-0, 6-3 against Loras. In No. 3 doubles matches with
Matthew Den Adel (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS), Melvin won 8-1 against Dubuque and 8-4 against Loras.
"He was locked in, especially against Loras in singles," Ferrell said. "That player can play blow you off the court and he hits the ball huge. Trey made him work and after a while he couldn't hang with Trey."
Brad DiLeo (junior, Iowa City, West HS) also went 4-0 on the day. He was a 6-0, 6-1 winner at No. 4 singles against Dubuque and 6-2, 6-2 against Loras. In No. 2 doubles matches with
Caleb Hamerlinck (junior, Huxley, Ballard HS), DiLeo won by identical 8-6 margins against Dubuque and Loras.
Nick Scott (sophomore, Fort Benton, Mont., Great Falls Central Catholic HS) both of his No. 4 singles matches, taking a 6-0, 6-1 win against Dubuque and a 6-1, 6-4 win against Loras. With partner.
Tanner Finken (senior, Carroll), he was an 8-2 winner at No. 1 doubles against Dubuque.
Finken won 7-5, 4-6, 2-1 at No. 1 singles against Loras. Den Adel won 6-0, 6-3 against Dubuque at No. 5 and Hamerlinck won 6-1, 6-1 aginst the Spartans at No. 6.
Central will host a quarterfinal match of the American Rivers Conference tournament on May 3 against an opponent to be determined.
"We have to wait and see what happens with the last few matches," Ferrell said. "We're just excited about finishing strong and so we're ready to go no matter who we face."
