Central holds off Midland for men’s tennis win

PELLA — Handing Midland University (Neb.) its first loss of the season, the Central College men’s tennis team did enough for a 5-4 win Saturday afternoon

Trailing 4-3 with two singles matches remaining against Midland (3-1), Central (2-2) got wins from Matthew Den Adel (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS) and Alejo Marcon (freshman, Knoxville, Pella Christian HS). Den Adel won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 5 and Marcon was a 6-0, 6-1 winner in the No. 6 slot.

“We competed incredibly well today,” coach Ryun Ferrell said. “We just need to get a few more guys a little more experience and clean up a few things. I think we’re going to be extremely formidable once we get started in the conference.”

Nick Scott (junior, Fort Benton, Mont., Great Falls Central Catholic HS) gave Central two of its five points by winning 6-3, 6-2 at No. 2 singles and 8-7 (8-6) with Caleb Hamerlinck (senior, Huxley, Ballard HS) at No. 1 doubles.

“The doubles court makes a lot of sense to Nick,” Ferrell said. “He played with an attitude in singles that said ‘I’m not going to be denied.’”

Den Adel and Trey Melvin (senior, Lawrence, Kan., Free State HS) gave Central its fifth point at No. 2 doubles, winning 8-7 (7-3).

Central has a triangular Friday in South Sioux City, Nebraska against a pair of NAIA teams in Grand View at noon and the host school Morningside at 4 p.m.

“It’s a level of tennis that we don’t always see,” Ferrell said. “It’s good competition but we know we can compete and win against teams like that.”