Results
ST. PETER, Minn. – This past weekend three Bethel University women's tennis players competed in the prestigious 2012 USTA/ITA Midwest Regional Championship at the Swanson Indoor Tennis Center and Brown Outdoor Courts at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn. Sixty-five of the top singles and doubles players in the Midwest took part in the tournament which began with singles matches on Friday morning. Bethel's Abby Edin (Jr., Staples, Minn.), Steph Brown (Sr., Lake City, Minn.), and Lisa Scheevel (Sr., St. Cloud, Minn.) competed in the singles competition along with Scheevel and Brown pairing up for the doubles competition.
“The level of play at the championship is very high as it is a National qualifier,” said first year Bethel tennis coach Drew Fernelius. “These were the top players from all across the Midwest section.”
Two of the three Royals won their first round singles matches, with Abby Edin and Lisa Scheevel coming out victorious. Edin defeated Gabby Queenan from Macalester 6-1 and 6-2. Scheevel came from behind to defeat Alyssa Larson from Carroll University, 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 6-3.
“Lisa's comeback was probably the highlight of the tournament,” Fernelius said. “She was down a set and down 2-4 in the second set and came back to win. She fought hard and never quit. It was a good win.”
Steph Brown was defeated by Rachael Swiener of St. Scholastica 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 in her first round match dropping her into a consolation matchup. Erika Williams of UW-Whitewater defeated Brown in the consolation match 6-1, 6-1.
Edin and Scheevel both had difficult second round matchups as Edin faced off against the tournaments #1 seed and Scheevel against the tournaments #4 overall seed. Edin was defeated 6-4, 6-0 by Michelle Schupbach of Coe College and Scheevel was defeated 6-2, 6-1 by Laurel Krebsbach of Gustavus.
“Both girls had really tough draws in the second round but I am really happy with the way they competed,” said Fernelius. “To make it to the second round and be in that category of the top 32 in the region is a great accomplishment.”
The doubles team of Brown and Scheevel lost a very tight match in their opening round. Alicia Roopchand/Paige Schaefer of Macalester won 9-8 and 10-8 in a tie breaker.
The Royals will wrap up their five week long fall season next Tuesday with a dual against Northwestern College at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
“This fall we are trying to set the tone to compete at a higher level,” coach Fernelius explained. “The student-athletes are working hard and I am very proud of their efforts.”
The match against Northwestern will conclude the Royals fall season and they will then turn their attention to preparing for the spring season. The first match is scheduled for February 8th at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn.
