Gustavus Box Score |
Grinnell Box ScoreST. PETER, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team took on a pair of top ranked teams in the region Saturday and fell to both Gustavus (0-9) and Grinnell (1-8). The Royals played the MIAC match with the Gusties first and then in the afternoon took on the Grinnell College Knights in an extra match held at Gustavus. Bethel's lone win of the day came at No. 2 doubles against Grinnell.
"Gustavus is the best team we play all year and they really showed it as they are incredibly talented," said head coach
Drew Fernelius. "We also had the opportunity to play another quality team in Grinnell and though we were playing our second match of the day, we welcomed the chance to continue to get better. The guys battled hard and put forth a great effort."
Against Gustavus, Bethel was unable to win any sets from the No. 4 ranked Gusties.
Blake Watts at No. 6 singles held leads of 5-4 and 6-5 in his second set but in the end fell 7-6. The No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches were also very competitive, as the Royals fell 4-8 and 5-8.
The Royals No. 2 doubles team of
Kolin Kiekhoefer and
Jakob Bartels won their match against Grinnell by a 9-7 score. Bethel's
Matt Schull at No. 1 singles, and
Blake Watts at No. 6 singles, both saw their matches go to a third-set tie-break but both fell in the end. Schull gave an incredible effort on the day, playing a total of four matches while fighting a fever.
The losses dropped Bethel to 3-3 overall on the year and 2-2 in MIAC play. The Royals will take on Carleton College next Friday night at the Lakeville Lifetime Fitness. The match begins at 6:30 p.m.
