MOLINE, ILLINOIS — Using a primarily freshman lineup, the Central College men's tennis team was dropped by St. Ambrose University 5-2 on Friday afternoon.
           
Playing with five freshmen and one sophomore, coach Ryun Ferrell was able to take a get a good look at his program's depth.
           
"This group got the ball back and put up a good fight," he said. "We came up on the short end of things but played well."
           
Making his tennis debut after playing football in the fall, Nile Christensen (freshman, Marshalltown) was dominant in a 6-0, 6-0 win at No. 5 singles.    
           
"He's an athlete and gets the ball back well," Ferrell said. "He's the kind of player that drives his opponent crazy."
           
Cashen Thompson (freshman, Pella) and Hayden Sinclair (freshman, Ames) were victorious in their No. 3 doubles match to the tune of 6-1.
           
"They thumped that team," Ferrell said. "It was over before it even started. They went after their opponents well. I was really exited to see two young guys play well."
           
Sinclair was also a 6-4, 6-3 winner at No. 6 singles.
           
"He started off a little slow," Ferrell said. "We talked about a nice strategy. After that, he executed the plan and did a nice job."
           
A different part of the Dutch men's team had a match late Friday night against Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois followed by an 8 a.m. match Saturday against Greenville University (Ill.)
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With every match we're going to get better," Ferrell said. "We're looking forward to seeing what the rest of the weekend brings."