Central men's tennis team sweeps Webster

The Dutch won three third-set tiebreaks

by Peter Leithauser

Pella, IA (03/31/2025) — PELLA- The Central College men's tennis team dominated Webster College (Mo.) 7-0 Saturday afternoon.

The Dutch secured the doubles point winning at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. Alex Slaymaker (sophomore, Geneseo) and Travis Subbert (sophomore, McKinney, Texas, North HS) won 6-3 at No. 2 and the freshman duo of Benny Ramker (Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) and Jack Briggs (Pella) extended their winning streak to four matches with a 6-2 win at No. 3

"Our Nos. 2 and 3 doubles teams played really solid from beginning to end," said coach Ryun Ferrell. "It was a lot of fun to watch."

Central continued its success in the singles matches, sweeping all five. Ayden Fletcher (senior, Waukee) split the opening sets 6-0 and 6-3 before winning the third-set tiebreak to secure the win at No. 1 singles. Briggs played his first match of the season at No. 2 singles, and he won 6-1, 6-2 to extend his personal winning streak to seven. AJ Wilkins (senior, Grinnell) played at No. 3 and he also split the first two sets 6-4, 6-2 before pulling away in a tie break.

"Wilkins played against a tough opponent, someone it is hard to get in a rhythm against," said Ferrell. "He played like a senior, with high grit and determination and he was able to win his match."

Ernest Alvarez Chedzoy (sophomore, Kerrville, Texas, Tivy HS) was the third Dutch athlete to win in three sets at No. 5. Ramker won by retirement at No. 4 singles and Gavin Jablonski (sophomore, Marshalltown) won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 6 singles.

"This was the toughest match our team has played. I want us to play tough, because when we play like that, we get better results," Ferrell said.

The Dutch will open their American Rivers slate Wednesday when Simpson College comes to the A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex tennis courts at 4 p.m.

Ayden

Fletcher