Central men's tennis team splits two matches with 19 different players competing

The Dutch defeated Illinois College

by Peter Leithauser

Pella, IA (03/24/2025) — Using its depth, the Central College men's tennis team split two matches.

The Dutch used 19 different athletes and was competitive the whole time. Central took the first match 5-2 against Illinois College, before losing to Wartburg College, in a non-conference match, 7-0.

"We found an opportunity for our guys to play, and they got to experience playing in a match," coach Ryun Ferrell said. "These guys all work hard, and it was great to see them win some matches."

Against Illinois College (2-9), the team used its normal doubles lineup and swept the matches to earn the point. Ayden Fletcher (senior, Waukee) and AJ Wilkins (senior, Grinnell) won 6-1 at No. 1 doubles, Alex Slaymaker (sophomore, Geneseo, Ill.) and Travis Subbert (sophomore, McKinney, Texas, North HS) won 6-2 at No. 2 doubles. The freshmen duo of Jack Briggs (Pella) and Benny Ramker (Waverly-Shell Rock HS) won at No. 3 doubles 6-2.

In the singles matches the Dutch (4-10) got wins from Gavin Jablonski (freshman, Marshalltown) 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 and Alec Anderson-Conlon (junior, Madison, Wis., Wisconsin Virtual Academy) 6-1, 6-1 at No. 4 singles. Quin Hull (junior, Ottumwa) won without losing a game at No. 5, and Trey Hull (junior, Ottumwa) won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 6.

"Jablonski stepped up big today and did a nice job," said Ferrell. "Anderson-Conlon was calm cool and collected, he played well against a tough opponent."

Against Wartburg, the Knights (9-10) got the doubles point despite Nile Christensen (sophomore, Marshalltown) and Aidan Walker (sophomore, Ankeny) winning 6-4 at No. 3 doubles.

"We got off to a slow start in doubles, but Christensen and Walker did a nice job at No. 3. Christensen had amazing energy to spark the team," said Ferrell.

The Dutch couldn't win any of the singles matches but three of them went into a third-set tiebreak.

"It was very competitive despite the loss," Ferrell said.

Central will return to the court Saturday when it hosts Webster University (Mo.) at 4 p.m.

Ayden

Fletcher