LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — The Central College men's tennis team rolled to a 7-2 win over Nebraska Wesleyan University in the American Rivers Conference opener for both teams Wednesday.
           
Central (5-7, 1-0 conference) made it seven in a row against the Prairie Wolves (0-2, 0-1 conference) dating back to 2017.
           
"It's not easy to play to at Nebraska Wesleyan because the courts are out in the open field and the wind is always a factor," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "They came out of the blocks pretty good against us but once we got our feet under us we looked pretty tough."
           
Senior Caleb Hamerlinck (senior, Huxley, Ballard HS) got his first singles win of the spring, taking the No. 4 match 6-4, 6-1.
           
Caleb looked great," Ferrell said. "After he won the first set, he found another gear and didn't give his opponent a chance."

Nick Scott (junior, Fort Benton, Mont., Great Falls Central Catholic HS) triumphed 7-6, 7-0 at No. 2. AJ Wilkins (sophomore, Grinnell) needed three sets but took a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 match at No. 3. Ayden Fletcher (sophomore, Waukee) won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 5 and Matthew Den Adel (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) won 6-3, 6-0 at No. 6.
           
In doubles, Melvin and Den Adel won 8-4 at No. 2. Wilkins and Alejo Marcon (freshman, Knoxville, Pella Christian HS) won 8-4 at No. 3.
           
Central hosts a pair of in-state opponents Saturday, starting with a conference match against Luther College at 10 a.m. Central also hosts both the men's and women's teams from Cornell College at 2 p.m.

"Luther is the cream of the crop in our league," Ferrell said. "Their No. 1 player has a shot at making the national meet. They are talented and deep. Cornell is a fun team to play and we're going to get to play a women's match at the same time which is always fun."