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ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Central College men’s tennis team won two out of three doubles matches but it didn’t equal a team victory during a 7-2 loss against Bethel University (Minn.) Saturday.

The Dutch (0-4) beat the Royals (1-0) last year in the season opener but were not able to extend the streak.

“You have to give a lot of credit to Bethel,” coach Ryun Ferrell said. “They are much improved from last year.”

At the top of the doubles lineup, AJ Wilkins (junior, Grinnell) and Alejo Marcon (sophomore, Pella, Pella Christian HS) registered an 8-7 (7-3) victory.

“They started off down 4-1 and came crawling back,” Ferrell said. “They got it to the tiebreaker and ran away with it from there. Their experience showed against a pair of freshmen.”

Ayden Fletcher (junior, Waukee) and Alex Slaymaker (freshman, Geneseo, Ill.) were 8-4 winners in the No. 2 doubles slot.

“They got an early lead and never gave up anything once they got it,” Ferrell said.

The Dutch were shut out in the six singles matches.

“During doubles, we looked as good as we’ve ever looked this early,” Ferrell said. “But in singles, we just need to clean some things up.

“For it being our first match and us being as young as we are, I like what we did and I like how we played.”

Central is off for a few weeks before hosting Baker University (Kan.) and Northwestern College on Feb. 24 inside H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse.

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