General Information:
School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Enrollment: 6,300 (2,900 undergrad)
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Venue: SRC (Indoor) & Ona Orth (Outdoor)
Coaching Staff :
Head Coach: Dan Morton (11th year)
Assistant Coach: Tim Burke
2009 Record:
Overall Record: 10-6
MIAC Record: 7-2 / 3rd Place
Season Outlook:
For the past three seasons, the Royals have by finished the MIAC race in third place behind perennially tough Gustavus and Carleton. At 7-2 in conference play and 10-6 overall, Bethel matched the school record for conference wins set in 2008 and enjoyed a streak of five straight wins over conference opponents before falling to St. Thomas in the first round of the MIAC playoffs.
Very little has changed from last year's team, but the biggest loss will no doubt be that of three-time All-MIAC player David Torres who was Bethel's #2 singles player and was a strong doubles player as well. However, with an additional year of experience under their belts, the Royals return four players who earned All-MIAC awards, including Tom Ronning (Sr., Alexandria, Minn.), who was an impressive 13-3 as the #1 singles player and Kent Nichols (So., Milaca, Minn.). Two-time All-MIAC fourth singles player Joel Cassens (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.) will be a factor and Jordan LeFebvre (Sr., Roseville, Minn.) also looks to be a positive contributor to the 2010 team. Last season, he finished the regular season with a six-match winning streak to help Bethel reach their third straight playoff appearance. Tucker Morris (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn.) won the Midwest Invitational in the fall and looks to make an impact in his freshman season.
Coach Morton is encouraged by both the youth and experience his team possesses. The team is a veteran crew who knows what it takes to compete in a very tough MIAC conference. Morton says his team is disciplined, mature, and eager to return to the court to build upon the success of the past three seasons to make their run at another playoff berth.
