ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel men's tennis team traveled down to Florida this past week to enjoy their spring breaks in the sun and the heat, and also to play some tennis along the way. During the week they took on three different collegiate teams, and in the end came away with two wins and a loss - not a bad way to spend a week in Florida.

Though they lost to their first opponent - Webber International University, 6-3 - the Royals were able to turn the tides in their next two matches. For their second match, Bethel had to travel all the way to Florida to take on UW-La Crosse, a university that calls Wisconsin their home. The Royals came away with a 7-5 victory against the Eagles. Tom Ronning (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) defeated his opponent in singles 6-2, 6-0, and also won his doubles match along with partner Kent Nichols (Fr., Milaca, Minn.), 8-5. Jordan McIver (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) won his singles match in a 6-0, 6-0 decision, which was the best singles score of the contest.

By the end of the week it was as if the Royals had done a complete 180 in comparison to their Webber match. In their final competition they took on Otterbein College, sweeping them 9-0. Ronning came away with the best singles score, winning 6-0, 6-0, though every Royal player saw a victory this day. Number two singles player David Torres (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn.) defeated his opponent 6-1, 6-0, and also captured a substantial 8-3 doubles victory with partner McIver.

Now that they have returned to not-so-warm Minnesota, Bethel looks to take on Saint Mary's University on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at an indoor facility in Fridley, Minn. They will enter that match with an overall record of 5-3 and a conference record of 2-2.
Results

Bethel University 7, UW-La Crosse 2
Mar. 18, 2009 at Orlando, Fla.

Singles competition

1. Tom Ronning (BETHEL) def. Joey Van Lieshout (UWL) 6-2, 6-0

2. David Torres (BETHEL) def. Nick Piotrowski (UWL) 6-1, 1-6, 10-7

3. Nathan Fekete (UWL) def. Joel Cassens (BETHEL) 6-3, 7-6

4. Doug Marmar (UWL) def. Jordan Lefebvre (BETHEL) 6-2, 7-5

5. Kent Nichols (BETHEL) def. Paul Vickers (UWL) 5-7, 6-1, 10-2

6. Jordan McIver (BETHEL) def. John Hildebrandt (UWL) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition

1. Tom Ronning/Kent Nichols (BETHEL) def. Joey Van Lieshout/Nick Piotrowski (UWL) 8-5

2. Joel Cassens/Jordan Lefebvre (BETHEL) def. Nathan Fekete/Paul Vickers (UWL) 8-5

3. David Torres/Jordan McIver (BETHEL) def. Sam Talarczyk/John Hildebrandt (UWL) 8-3

Results

Bethel College 9, Otterbein College 0
Mar 19, 2009 at Orlando, Florida

Singles competition

1. Tom Ronning (BET) def. David Powers (OTT) 6-0, 6-0

2. David Torres (BET) def. Ryan Catanese (OTT) 6-1, 6-0

3. Kent Nichols (BET) def. Tyler Brodhead (OTT) 6-2, 6-1

4. Joel Cassens (BET) def. Steven Albert (OTT) 6-1, 6-1

5. Jordan LeFebvre (BET) def. Ryan Roberts (OTT) 6-0, 6-2

6. Jordan McIver (BET) def. Brian Pollock (OTT) 6-2, 6-1

Doubles competition

1. Tom Ronning/Kent Nichols (BET) def. Ryan Catanese/Tyler Brodhead (OTT) 8-1

2. David Torres/Jordan McIver (BET) def. David Powers/Steven Albert (OTT) 8-3

3. Joel Cassens/Jordan LeFebvre (BET) def. Brian Pollock/Jason Wagner (OTT) 8-3