Centennial boys sweep doubles matches to post 8-3 victory over Hawks

Ankeny Centennial’s Brayden Wellendorf prepares to serve the ball during his No. 3 singles match against Ankeny’s Avin Legg on Thursday at the Prairie Ridge courts. Wellendorf posted a 6-4, 6-2 win to help the Jaguars to an 8-3 victory. (Photo by Dan Holm)

The Ankeny boys’ tennis team hasn’t defeated Ankeny Centennial since 2017.

The Hawks didn’t end that losing streak on Thursday, but they at least made things interesting for awhile before dropping an 8-3 decision to their crosstown rival.

The two teams split the six singles matches at the Prairie Ridge courts before Centennial swept the five doubles matches to seal the win.

“We were up and down in almost every single match, not counting (No. 1 singles) with (Centennial’s) Caleb Peterson,” said Ankeny coach Ron Miller. “We were not out of any of them until the end, except for that one. Our guys don’t give up. Our singles has been our strength all year. It might not show with the results, but we’ve played much better in singles. We just need to work on our doubles, especially with our volleying.”

Ankeny’s Dylan Victor hits a shot while teammates Mason Lyons (left) and Aiden Walker play on the adjacent courts during Thursday’s meet. Victor posted a 7-5, 6-4 win in the No. 2 singles match. (Photo by Dan Holm)

The Jaguars got singles wins from Peterson, Brayden Wellendorf at the No. 3 spot and Holden Smith at No. 4. Wellendorf and Smith then teamed up for another victory at No. 2 doubles, while Peterson combined with Nick Hiney for a win at No. 1 doubles.

“It was closer than I would have liked in singles, but the doubles came through very well for us,” said Centennial coach Tami Lewton.

Ankeny’s wins were provided by Dylan Victor at the No. 2 position, Ethan Bovee at No. 5 and Cale Josten at No. 6.

“Josten has really come on this year,” Miller said. “He has made huge leaps.”

**Ankeny Centennial’s Holden Smith hits a forehand return en route to a 6-2, 6-4 win in the No. 4 singles match. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Centennial improved to 2-3 in the CIML Conference and 3-4 overall. The Hawks’ records dropped to 1-5 and 1-6.

Despite the loss, Miller was proud of his team’s effort.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth all year,” he said. “They’ve played much better than I anticipated this year, right from the first meet. They’ve played hard, and that’s all we ever ask of them.”

The Jaguars will play at Waukee (3-2) on Monday. The Hawks will travel to Urbandale (8-5) on Tuesday.

**Ankeny’s Avin Legg serves the ball during his No. 3 singles match against Ankeny Centennial’s Brayden Wellendorf. (Photo by Dan Holm)**

Here are the match-by-match results from Thursday’s meet:

Centennial 8, Ankeny 3

Singles–Peterson beat Lyons, 6-0, 6-0; Victor (A) beat Hiney, 7-5, 6-4; Wellendorf beat Legg, 6-4, 6-2; Smith beat A. Walker, 6-2, 6-4; Bovee (A) beat Halverson, 7-6, 6-3; Josten (A) beat Valerio-Garsow, 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles–Peterson-Hiney beat Lyons-Bovee, 6-1, 6-2; Wellendorf-Smith beat Victor-Legg, 6-1, 7-5; Halverson-Valerio-Garsow beat A. Walker-Josten, 6-4, 6-4; T. Walker-Law beat D. Lueck-Bodensteiner, 6-3, 6-1; Amin-Malone beat Zaragoza-Parsons, 6-3, 6-2.