ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Bethel University women's tennis team took on a pair of solid competitors Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in NCAA DII St. Cloud State and MIAC opponent St. Thomas. The Royals fell 3-6 to SCSU and 2-7 to St. Thomas. Kayla Wheeler at No. 5 singles was the only Royal to win both of her matches and Wheeler was also victorious in her No. 3 doubles match with Abby Kreklau against St. Cloud State.

“We lost a close to match to St. Cloud State and it is great to get three points off of a good Division II school,” Royals coach Drew Fernelius said. “They were really tough at the top of the lineup but we played great in two and three doubles and really came out of the gates tremendously. I think we are heading in the right direction and have had good energy but it doesn't get any easier against St. Thomas tomorrow morning.”

After falling in the No. 1 doubles match the Royals picked up big victories at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles as Steph Brown/Kristin Vivian won 8-5 and Kayla Wheeler/Abby Kreklau won 8-3. The Royals momentum was slowed after losing a tough match at No. 1 singles. Abby Edin came back from down 1-5 in the second set to force a tie-break but fell 4-0. At No. 3 singles, Steph Brown came up just short in a highly competitive three-set match 3-6, 6-1, 1-0 (10-5). Wheeler won her match at No. 5 singles 8-6.

The next morning the Royals headed to the Baseline Tennis Center to take on MIAC opponent, the University of St. Thomas. The Royals fell 2-7 to the Tommies with Wheeler winning again at No. 5 singles and Lisa Scheevel winning a big match at No. 2 singles.

“We are excited to get the wins at two and five singles,” coach Fernelius said. “Lisa's win was against a senior who has been St. Thomas' No. 1 singles player in the past and an opponent she had never beaten, so that was a great win, as was Kayla's. It was a good experience for the girls and we saw what it is going to look like to try and get to the upper level of the conference. We will get back at it with a big match against St. Kate's on Friday.”

Bethel will take on another MIAC opponent from St. Paul next Friday in St. Catherine's. The Royals are now 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in MIAC play.