MINNEAPOLIS – The Bethel University men's tennis team dropped a hard fought, non-conference match against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Sunday evening by a 6-3 score at the Baseline Tennis Center. The Royals got victories at No. 1 doubles and the Schull brothers, Matt and Steve, playing at No. 1 and No. 5 singles came out with victories.

 "We had some solid play against one of the top ranked teams in the region," said Bethel coach Drew Fernelius. "We are really hoping that the strength of our schedule is going to pay off for us as we enter into the heart of our MIAC schedule."

The Royals No. 1 doubles team of Matt Schull and Luke Palmquist were victorious 8-6. The Eagles won handily at No. 3 doubles, 8-3. Bethel's No. 2 doubles team of Kirby Ronning and Kolin Kiekhoefer lost a heartbreaker by a score of 9-7, giving the Eagles the 2-1 lead and momentum heading into singles play.

Freshman Matt Schull continued to shine for the Royals at No. 1 singles as he won his match by a 6-4, 7-6 (2) score. Senior Steve Schull picked up Bethel's other victory at No. 5 singles with a 6-2, 7-5 victory. Kolin Kiekhoefer and Kent Schaller both dropped hard fought 6-3, 6-4 matches at No. 3 and No. 6 singles. Ronning fell 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 singles and Palmquist was defeated 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4 singles.

The matchup against the Eagles (12-4) marks the last non-conference tilt for Bethel in the 2014 season as they will now enter into the final half of the MIAC season looking to make a run at an MIAC playoff berth. The Royals will travel to Saint Mary's University in Winona, Minn., on Saturday to take on the Cardinals at 4 p.m.