April 18, 2007

Central falls to Truman State (Mo.)

KIRKSVILLE , MO. —The Central College men's tennis team was overpowered by Division II Truman State 7-2 Wednesday.  

The Dutch picked up a pair of singles wins on the day. Chris Bliss (junior, Ottumwa) won a three-setter 2-6, 6-4, 10-6 at No. 3 singles and Devin Bates (senior, Romeoville, Ill., Mattoon HS) picked up a 7-6, 6-1 win at the No. 6 spot.

“Chris (Bliss) and Devin (Bates) both played really well today,” said coach Greg Gilmore. “Besides that we couldn't catch many breaks.”

While doubles is usually a strength for Central, the Bulldogs managed a sweep of all three doubles matches.

“I was a little disappointed in our doubles play,” said Gilmore.

Truman State is the eighth-ranked team in the Division II North Central Region at 11-5

The Dutch close their dual match season with a 12-8 mark. Central will hit the courts again April 26 for the Iowa Conference tournament at Cedar Rapids .

“We'll probably be the three seed at the (conference) tournament,” said Gilmore. “I think we're solidly in the third position and could move up if we catch some breaks.”