ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS — Dipping out of American Rivers Conference play, the Central College men's tennis team was defeated 8-1 by Augustana College (Ill.) Thursday afternoon.
           
The Dutch (7-9) were shorthanded in the loss against the Vikings (7-3). No. 2 singles player Nick Scott (junior, Fort Benton, Mont., Great Falls Central Catholic HS) did not make the trip to attend class on Thursday back in Pella. The absence of Scott, who is also on the No. 1 tennis tandem, forced coach Ryun Ferrell to push everyone up a spot in the lineup.
           
"Instead of trying to put together a new team at No. 1 doubles, we just moved everyone up a spot," Ferrell said. "Augustana attacked fast in doubles. Once we settled down, we got back into it and were right there. We don't usually go down 3-0 in doubles so that hurt us."
           
Central's only point of the night came from the No. 6 singles spot as Alejo Marcon (freshman, Knoxville, Pella Christian HS) battled for a 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), 1-0 (10-8) win. It was the freshman's second appearance in singles this spring.
           
"I describe Alejo as being like water," Ferrell said. "He will form and shape himself into whatever he needs to be to win. He recognized if he just got the ball back it would drive his opponent nuts so that's what he did. His future is going to be really bright with us."
           
Thursday's dual was the team's fifth in eight days.
           
"You can tell we've played a lot in the last two weeks," Ferrell said. "We just didn't have as much gas as we normally do."
           
Central's next match is Friday, April 14 at the University of Dubuque at 4 p.m.

"It's time for a break," Ferrell said. "We've been going hard for a few weeks. We can take a break and get ready for the final push of the conference season."