ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team lost a hard fought match with NCAA Division II St. Cloud State by a 6-3 margin Friday night in St. Cloud. The Royals picked up victories at No. 1 doubles and No. 3 and No. 4 singles. The Royals lost close matches at No. 1 and No. 2 singles and a three set match at No. 5 singles.

“We really competed well with a very good team,” said first year Royals coach Drew Fernelius. “We showed we can in in some other spots in our lineup, which is going to be really important for our success going forward. We move into conference play now at 0-2 but I am happy with the way we've competed against two really good teams and our attitudes have been good and the guys are really playing hard.”

The Royals top doubles team of Tucker Morris and Reggie Ronning improved to 2-0 on the year with an 8-4 victory. Steve Schull came out on top of an exciting three set match at No. 3 singles for the Royals by scores of 6-3, 6-7, (10-7). Kirby Ronning had a great performance at No. 4 singles, winning 6-2, 6-4 but David Leafblad lost a heartbreaker at No. 5 to give the Huskies the win. Leafblad fell 6-1, 2-6, (8-10).

The Royals will take on Saint John's University, one of the top competitors in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), next Sunday at Gold's Gym in Sartell, Minn.