[Results]

LAKEVILLE, Minn. – The Bethel University women's tennis team picked up their first MIAC win of the season Thursday night at the Lakeville Lifetime Fitness 7-2 over Saint Mary's University. The Royals swept all three doubles matches to take a 3-0 lead heading into singles play. Three of the Royals four singles matches were won in straight sets allowing them to clinch the victory early on in the match. The win ups the Royals overall record to 2-3 and 1-1 in MIAC play.

“I was really proud of the way we came out of the gate strong,” said Royals coach Drew Fernelius. “Sweeping the double matches was huge to give us a 3-0 lead heading into singles play. Abby, Kristin and Kayla all won very convincingly and in a hurry to seal the win for us.”

At No. 1 singles Abby Edin picked up her first win of the year with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.  Kristin Vivian also recorded her first victory of the year at No. 4 singles with a dominate 6-0, 6-1 win. Kayla Wheeler kept her singles record perfect with another quick victory at No. 5 singles, 6-1, 6-1. The lone Royal victor to not win in straight sets, Lisa Scheevel, showed great perseverance after losing the opening set 2-6. She came back to win the second set 6-1 and the final set 10-8 to up her season record over .500 at 3-2. Saint Mary's won their two points at No. 3 and No. 6 singles. Bethel's Steph Brown lost a tough match 6-3, 7-6 (7-3), while battling an illness. Amanda Johnson fell 7-5, 6-4 at No. 6 singles against one of Saint Mary's top players who was playing her first match of the season after returning from injury.

“I am very excited to get our first conference win but it is just one win,” coach Fernelius said. “We have to continue to take it one match at a time and keep working to get better.”

The Royals face off with conference preseason favorite Carleton College Saturday. The Knights are coming off an upset loss to St. Catherine last Friday. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Lakeville Lifetime Fitness.