OWATONNA, MINN. — Playing in an unorthodox order did not prevent the Central College men's tennis team from securing a 5-4 win against Bethel University (Minn.) Friday.
           
Dual matches typically start with three doubles matches before moving onto six singles matches. Due to a scheduling conflict at the Owatonna Tennis Center, the two teams started the night with singles. The Dutch (1-0) rattled off four wins to put themselves a point away from clinching the match before the start of the doubles against the Royals (1-1)
           
"I didn't know what to expect because we haven't practiced a ton of singles lately," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "We've looked okay when we have practiced it but before I knew it, we had won the first set in five of the six matches."
           
Central started strong at the top with a 6-4, 6-2 win from Trey Melvin (senior, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) at No. 1 and a 6-3, 6-3 win from Nick Scott (junior, Fort Benton, Mont., Great Falls Central Catholic HS) at No. 2.
           
The Dutch added a 6-2, 6-2 win by Matthew Den Adel (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) at No. 5 and AJ Wilkins (sophomore, Grinnell) was 7-5, 6-3 at No. 6 in his Dutch debut.
           
Ayden Fletcher (sophomore, Waukee) and Caleb Hamerlinck (senior, Huxley, Ballard HS) put the match on ice with their 8-2 No. 3 doubles victory.
           
"Bethel came out of the blocks really fast in doubles," Ferrell said. "Our No. 3 team really settled down and got the win to get us the team win."
           
The Dutch have a pair of matches in nearby St. Peter, Minnesota Saturday. It starts with a neutral site match against St. Olaf College (Minn.) at 12:30 p.m. and then a road match at Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) at 4 p.m.
           
"We've got a good St. Olaf team tomorrow to start," Ferrell said. "Gustavus is a really good team that has been to the national tournament and has been nationally ranked."