DUBUQUE — Needing to win the last two matches on the court, the Central College men's tennis team got the job done for a 5-4 American Rivers Conference road win at Loras College Saturday morning.

Central evened its overall record at 9-9 (4-1 conference) while Loras slipped to 10-6 (2-3 conference).

After slipping 6-4 in the first set, Trey Melvin (senior, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) stormed back for a 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles.

"Trey went on a tear in the third set," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "It's one of the toughest matches I've seen in all my years of coaching. He dug deep and grounded his opponent down."

Melvin's win leveled the score at 4-4 with just the No. 5 singles match remaining on the court. Ayden Fletcher (sophomore, Waukee) secured the team win 20 minutes later with a 6-2, 6-2 win.

"Ayden was in good control of that match," Ferrell said. "He knew we needed him to win. He knew if he made enough shots his opponent would miss eventually and so he played smart today.

Matthew Den Adel (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) gave another steady effort at No. 6, winning 6-0, 6-3.
           
Nick Scott (sophomore, Fort Benton, Mont, Great Falls Central Catholic HS) and Caleb Hamerlinck (senior, Huxley, Ballard HS) won 8-6 at No. 1 doubles. Alejo Marcon (freshman, Knoxville, Pella Christian HS) and AJ Wilkins (sophomore, Grinnell) won by the same margin at No. 3 doubles.
           
"Nick and Caleb had a simple game plan and executed it well," Ferrell said. "Alejo and AJ played tough."
           
The Dutch travel to Buena Vista University Wednesday for a 4 p.m. match in Storm Lake. They wrap up the conference slate by hosting Coe College and Wartburg College next Saturday.