ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The last time a Bethel women's tennis player took a match point from her Gustavus opponent was in 1999. But today, on a cloudless morning at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex, that streak was broken. Heather Blair (Jr., Glenwood, Minn.), the only Royal to win a match against a Gustie – a team that is looking for their 18th consecutive MIAC championship – defeated her opponent in singles 6-3, 6-3, finally ending the Gusties' seemingly eternal monopoly on victories over the Royals.

It's never easy to take on a team that hasn't come in lower than second place in the conference since 1982 and hasn't lost even one MIAC match in 17 years. But the Royals stepped to the challenge today, and while they ultimately ended up losing 8-1, they gave it everything and came away with their best score against them in 10 years.

Blair was also part of the doubles team who finished with the best score. She and partner Ashley Dohlen (Jr., Morris, Minn.) ended with a score of 2-8. While Blair's singles win was certainly the highlight of the morning, there were also other Royals who put on a good show. Aside from Blair, Stefanie Erlander (So., Excelsior, Minn.) came away with the next best singles score of 3-6, 4-6. Dohlen also managed to get three games off of her opponent, falling 1-6, 2-6.

Though it was a historically exciting day for the Royals in one regard, the loss still drops them to 1-10 overall and 0-6 in the MIAC. Gustavus continues on in their unbeaten streak, sitting at a 5-0 conference and 14-9 overall record. Bethel's next match is scheduled to be held on Tuesday at 5 p.m. when they travel to the University of Minnesota Baseline Tennis club to take on St. Catherine's, who is also winless in conference play.


Results:

Doubles
Kristin Kishaba and LeRoyce Chapman L (0-8)
Ashley Dohlen and Heather Blair L (2-8)
Krista Nauman and Stefanie Erlander L (0-8)

Singles
Kristin Kishaba L (1-6, 2-6)
LeRoyce Chapman L (0-6, 0-6)
Ashley Dohlen L (1-6, 2-6)
Heather Blair W (6-3, 6-3)
Krista Nauman L (1-6, 0-6)
Stefanie Erlander L (3-6, 4-6)