COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Royals took on the Johnnies today in their most competitive MIAC win since defeating St. Thomas back in February. After a number of close matches and even closer tiebreakers, Bethel defeated their talented opponents 5-4 to maintain their enviable position of third in the conference.
Tom Ronning (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) was the only Royal to win both his matches today. He and partner Kent Nichols (Fr., Milaca, Minn.) finished their doubles challenge with a definitive score of 8-2 before Ronning went on to defeat Saint. John's number one singles player 6-3, 7-6, (7-2) in a close contest.
While there weren't any other doubles teams to come out on the winning end, there were plenty of singles matches to make up for it. David Torres (Sr., Arden Hills, Minn.) won 6-4, 6-4, playing the Johnnies number two, and Joel Cassens (Jr., Owatonna, Minn.) finished with the same score. Jordan LeFebvre (Jr., Roseville, Minn.) also won his match, 6-2, 7-5.
Things are looking good for the Royals, who are currently at 8-4 overall and 5-2 in conference. The Johnnies drop to 5-3 in the MIAC and 9-7 overall with the loss. Bethel hopes their next match ends as well as this one did, which is scheduled to take place Saturday at 10 a.m. in Moorhead, Minn. when they take on Concordia College.
RESULTS
| Singles competition |
| 1. Tom Ronning (BU-MT) def. Mark Steelman (SJU) 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) |
| 2. David Torres (BU-MT) def. Dutch Hansen (SJU) 6-4, 6-4 |
| 3. Ian Hansen (SJU) def. Kent Nichols (BU-MT) 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) |
| 4. Joel Cassens (BU-MT) def. Luke Odegaard (SJU) 6-4, 6-4 |
| 5. Jordan LeFebvre (BU-MT) def. Kevin Goihl (SJU) 6-2, 7-5 |
| 6. Eric Inglis (SJU) def. Jordan McIver (BU-MT) 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 10-8 |
