April 27, 2007

Central wraps up strong season

CEDAR RAPIDS—It was a short day for the Central College men’s tennis team at the Iowa Conference individual tournament Friday.

The Dutch finished third in the league team tournament at Iowa City Thursday, but made little headway Friday. Central’s only victories were in Flight B singles. Justin Scherff (junior, Denison) and Nick Rohner (junior, Wichita, Kan., Kapaun Mt. Carmel HS) scored first round victories but each fell in the second round.

Central’s top three players were in Flight A, but Jared Feddersen (junior, Fort Dodge), Luke Boyd (freshman, Fort Dodge) and Chris Bliss (junior, Ottumwa) were sidelined in the opening round. The Dutch met similar fates in Flight A doubles as Boyd-Feddersen and Bliss-Scherff suffered first-round defeats.

“We had some tough draws,” said interim coach Greg Gilmore.

Falling in Flight B singles were Devin Bates (senior, Matoon, Ill.) and Joel Druvenga (sophomore, Spencer) while Bates-Rohner were ousted in the opening round in Flight B doubles.

Bates is the only senior on the squad which Gilmore piloted to a 14-9 dual meet record. Pella High School coach Bryan Mours will take over the Dutch men’s and women’s programs in the fall.