MINNEAPOLIS – The Bethel University men's tennis team pulled out a huge 5-4 victory over the University of St. Thomas Saturday morning at the Baseline Tennis Center. The Royals were behind 2-1 after doubles play but won four of the six singles matches to knock off the Tommies.

"This might be the first time after a match that I was just totally speechless," said Bethel coach Drew Fernelius, a St. Thomas alum and former All-American. "Just an awesome day to beat such a great team like St. Thomas and doing it in such close, dramatic fashion. The guys competed all out for each other and I am really proud of their effort."

Bethel's lone doubles victory came at the No. 2 spot as freshman Matt Schull and Kolin Kiekhoefer came out on top 8-6. In singles play the first Royals to finish off their opponents were Matt and his brother Steve Schull at No. 1 and No. 5 singles, as both won in dominate fashion to put the Royals up 3-2. Matt Schull won 6-0, 6-1 while Steve won 6-0, 6-4. Brett Lizotte was defeated 6-3, 6-2 at No. 6 singles as the Tommies drew back even before Kolin Kiekhoefer put Bethel back on top. The match between two of the top freshman in the MIAC went Kiekhoefer's way 6-4, 7-6 (4), as Bethel now needed to win just one of the two remaining matches. At No. 4 singles Luke Palmquist came through for the Royals, coming back to win the deciding match and send Bethel into a frenzy of excitement as they clinched the victory. Palmquist dropped the first set 7-5 but rebounded for a 6-0 victory in the second set and won the third set tie-breaker (10-5). Senior captain Kirby Ronning lost a hard fought match at No. 2 singles against one of the top No. 2 players in the conference. Ronning held a 5-3 lead in the second set but fell 6-3, 7-5.

The victory brings Bethel to 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in the MIAC, bouncing back strong after a disappointing defeat to St. Olaf last Saturday. Bethel will now take on Carleton College on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Lakeville Lifetime Fitness.