PELLA— The Central College men's tennis team started their first matches of the spring season on Saturday with two losses against Carleton College and Bethel University.
           
"It was nice to be able to split our team up and have 18 men play today," said coach Ruyn Ferrell. "We split our team up evenly rather than sending an A team and B team. We looked good for the first match of the season. Compared to last year I like how we played better, and we will continue to improve as the season comes along.
           
In the Carleton match, the Dutch lost 7-0 but were able to get a 7-5 doubles match win from Ayden Fletcher (senior, Waukee) and AJ Wilkins (senior, Grinnell).
           
Central lost 7-0 against Bethel and was unable to win a match. Gavin Jablonski (sophomore, Marshalltown) went to a tiebreak in each set of his singles match.

"Jablonski's match was fun to watch," Ferrell said. "He was playing against a guy who played a completely different style. Jablonski likes to keep the ball in play and his opponent likes to overpower his opponents. Each player couldn't gain full control of the match causing the close scores. Jablonski is flat out tough, and he wouldn't give up."
           
The team plays next when it hosts a round robin with Coe College and Northwestern College. The Dutch will play Northwestern at 9 a.m. followed by playing Coe at 3 p.m. Coe will play Northwestern at noon.