Central men’s tennis squad opens with sweep

Central College

PELLA — A veteran core of players led the Central College men’s tennis team to a season opening sweep against Morningside and Knox (Ill.) Saturday.

The Dutch, led by four returning letterwinners at the top of the lineup, were victorious over Morningside in the opening match 7-2. In the night cap, the Dutch rolled against Knox 8-1.

Central’s top four singles player from last spring returned to the lineup Saturday with rave results. West Adelman (junior, Geneva, Ill.), Josh Forst (senior, Woodrige, Ill., Downers Grove South HS), Collin Schares (senior, Johnston) and Tim Kahl (senior, Grinnell) all went 2-0 in singles play. Forst and Schares also won both of their doubles matches.

“The veterans did what I thought they would do,” coach Ryun Ferrell said. “They played smart, tough and hard. You kind of come to expect that.”

Making their dual debuts, Tom Palmer (freshman, Pella) and Jimmy Cunningham (freshman, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kennedy HS) each went 2-0 in doubles action, paired with Forst and Schares, respectively. Garrett Taylor (freshman, Creston) and Jacob Logan (freshman, Bettendorf) also made their debuts at No. 5 and No. 6 singles, both going 1-1.

“For the freshmen it’s birth by fire,” Ferrell said. “They have to learn how to play smarter. They looked a little shaky in the first match, but in the second one they looked a lot more relaxed. It’s going to get better for them the more they play.”

The Dutch have a week off before heading to Grinnell next Saturday for matches against Grinnell and Augustana (Ill.).