PELLA — A dominant effort in doubles put the Central College men’s tennis team in position for a 6-3 win over the University of Northwestern – St. Paul (Minn.) Saturday afternoon.

The Dutch (3-8) started off on the right foot by winning all three doubles matches. AJ Wilkins (junior, Grinnell) and Alejo Marcon (sophomore, Pella, Pella Christian HS) were 8-4 winners at No. 1. Ayden Fletcher (junior, Waukee) and Alex Slaymaker (freshman, Grinnell) also won 8-4 in the No. 2 slot. Travis Subbert (freshman, McKinney, Texas, North HS) and Ernest Alvarez Chedzoy (freshman, Kerrville, Texas, Tivy HS) were 8-2 victors at No. 3.

 

“We came out of the blocks fast in doubles,” coach Ryun Ferrell said. “We hadn’t done that in a match yet this year so it was neat to do that.”

Wilkins earned Central’s highest-rated singles win, taking the No. 2 singles match 6-2, 6-1.

“AJ found a good groove and played well today,” Ferrell said.

Subbert and Slaymaker gave Central two more singles wins at the bottom of the lineup. Subbert won 6-4, 6-2 at No. 5 and Slaymaker won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 6.

           

“We have some guys stepping up and starting to make a name for themselves,” Ferrell said.

Central is off until Wednesday, April 3 when it hosts Nebraska Wesleyan University at 4 p.m. in the American Rivers Conference opener.