ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team is back in the MIAC playoffs for the first time since 2010 and preparing to take on St. Olaf College Wednesday evening in the first round. The No. 5 seed Royals will square off with the No. 4 seed Oles at 6 p.m. at the Lakeville Lifetime Fitness as the inclement weather will force the match indoors. St. Olaf finished one spot ahead of the Royals thanks to their MIAC opening 6-3 victory over Bethel back on February 15th.

"We are really excited to be in the playoffs," said Royals head coach Drew Fernelius. "I don't think anyone gave us a chance this year to make it after graduating our only two All-Conference players from last year. Jumping up from seventh place last year, to fifth this year was a big step for our program."

The Royals and Oles last matchup saw a highly competitive match tip in St. Olaf's favor as they came out with two of the three doubles matches and four of six singles matches. Coach Fernelius believes that doubles play will be the key for the Royals in earning a victory.

"As it has been all year, the key for us is going to be doubles play," Fernelius explained. "Our guys have worked so hard on doubles and if we can come out ahead there we will be in a great position to win."

The Royals doubles lineup will be different then in the first contest with St. Olaf in February. Bethel's lineup will consist of Matt Schull and Luke Palmquist at No. 1 doubles, who have gone 4-1 in MIAC play. The No. 2 pairing of Kirby Ronning and Kolin Kiekhoefer also went 4-1 in MIAC play since teaming up together, while Steve Schull and Brett Lizotte went 4-3 in MIAC play at No. 3 doubles. 

In singles play the Royals have been led by four players with outstanding records, including a pair of freshman at No. 1 and No. 3 singles. Matt Schull and Kolin Kiekhoefer both posted 6-3 conference records while Matt's brother, senior Steve Schull was 7-2 at No. 5 singles. Junior Luke Palmquist went 6-3 at No. 4 singles and will be looking for another victory over his St. Olaf opponent. Palmquist and Steve Schull were the two Royals to win in the first matchup with the Oles. Kiekhoefer lost a heartbreaker at No. 3 singles, 1-6, 6-3, (10-8). 

"It really has been a team effort this year all the way through," coach Fernelius said. "Our guys consider themselves brothers and it shows in how they play together and support each other. It has been a great season and we are ready to give it everything we've got Wednesday night."

The MIAC men's tennis playoff homepage can be accessed here.