LAKEVILLE, Minn. - In their first conference matchup of the season, Bethel took on regionally ranked Carleton, the team that currently holds the number one slot in MIAC standings, along with Gustavus and Saint John's. Though the Royals were coming off an 8-1 win against the College of St. Scholastica, the Knights of Carleton proved to be much more of a challenge, and the Royals came out on the low end of the 8-1 final.

While only one doubles team can boast of a victory, each of the matches were close in score. It was the number three doubles team, Kent Nichols (Fr., Milaca, Minn.) and Michael Kreklau (Jr., Maple Grove, Minn.) that came away with the team's lone win. They defeated Peter Dunn and Austin Taylor in an 8-5 decision.

The Royals didn't have as much luck in singles, though again, many of the men remained within striking distance of the victory. Closest to this was Tom Ronning (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.), who lost 6-2, 4-6, 9-11.

With the loss to Carleton, the Royals move to 0-1 in conference and 1-1 overall. The next Bethel men's tennis match is scheduled to be held on February 27, when they take on St. Olaf in St. Paul at the Ford Wells Tennis and Education Center at 11 a.m. on the grounds of Fort Snelling.

#29 Carleton College 8, Bethel University 1
Feb 25, 2009 at Lakeville, Minn. (LifeTime Fitness)
Singles competition
1. Dan Vollman (CAR) def. Tom Ronning (BU-MT) 2-6, 6-4, 11-9
2. Ben Guzick (CAR) def. David Torres (BU-MT) 5-7, 6-1, 10-1
3. Peter Dunn (CAR) def. Joel Cassens (BU-MT) 3-6, 6-1, 10-4
4. Winston Park (CAR) def. Jordan LeFebvre (BU-MT) 6-1, 6-0
5. Jon Aranda (CAR) def. Kent Nichols (BU-MT) 6-1, 5-7, 10-6
6. Vince Heguy (CAR) def. Jordan McIver (BU-MT) 6-0, 7-5

Doubles competition
1. Winston Park/Dan Vollman (CAR) def. Tom Ronning/David Torres (BU-MT) 8-6
2. Ben Guzick/Jon Aranda (CAR) def. Joel Cassens/Jordan LeFebvre (BU-MT) 9-7
3. Kent Nichols/Michael Kreklau (BU-MT) def. Peter Dunn/Austin Taylor (CAR) 8-5

Match Notes
Bethel University 1-1, 0-1 MIAC
Carleton College 6-2, 2-0 MIAC; National ranking #29; Regional ranking #8