FARGO, N.D. – The Bethel University men's tennis team went on the road for their MIAC opener against Concordia College and came out with an impressive, 7-2 win. In the match played at the Courts Plus facility in Fargo, North Dakota, the Royals swept the doubles matches and won four of the six singles matches to prevail.

Bethel came out strong, generating a lot of momentum with wins at all three doubles spots. Matt Schull and Luke Palmquist at No. 1 doubles along with Kent Schaller and Brett Lizotte at No. 3 doubles both won 8-4. Kolin Kiekhoefer and Jakob Bartels pulled out a 9-7 decision at No. 2 doubles for Bethel, picking up their first win together as they were the lone point lost in the season opening match last Friday against MSOE.

In singles play the bottom of the Royals lineup really stepped up as the Royals won handily at No. 4, 5 and 6 singles to take the match. Jakob Bartels at No. 4 singles won 6-1, 6-4, while Kent Schaller won 6-0, 6-0, at No. 5 and Blake Watts won 6-0, 6-1, at No. 6. Kolin Kiekhoefer was the other Royal to come out on top as he won in three sets. After winning the first set 6-0, Kiekhoefer fell 4-6 in the second before rebounding for a 10-6 third set win. The lone Royals to taste defeat for the first time this season was Matt Schull at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-2, and Luke Palmquist 6-1, 6-4.

Bethel is now 2-0 on the season by a combined 15-3 and 1-0 in the MIAC. The Royals will host their first home match of the season next Saturday night at the Baseline Tennis Center at the University of Minnesota. The match will begin at 7:30 p.m. against Saint Mary's University.