Box ScoreROCHESTER, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team took down Central (Iowa) College 8-1 Saturday evening, sweeping all six singles matches. The Royals won at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles and then rolled in singles play, with all but one match decided in straight sets.
"It was a good win against a good team, especially pulling out all but one match," said Royals head coach
Drew Fernelius. "I was really proud of the guys."
Bethel took the 2-1 lead after doubles play thanks to solid wins by
Jakob Bartels and
Brett Lizotte at No. 2 doubles 8-3, and
Blake Watts and
Caleb Perkins at No. 3 doubles, 8-2.
Matt Schull and
Kolin Kiekhoefer lost for just the second time together at No. 1 doubles, 8-4.
Schull rebounded at No. 1 singles after the doubles loss and lost in the first set of his singles match but come back to win 3-6, 6-3 and 10-8. Kiekhoefer won 6-3, 6-1 at No. 2 singles as well as
Jakob Bartels at No. 3 and
Kent Schaller at No. 6 singles all won by the same 6-3, 6-1 scores.
Blake Watts picked up his team leading 11th win of the season, taking his No. 4 singles match by 6-1, 6-3 score.
Brett Lizotte was victorious at No. 5 singles 6-4, 6-3.
"We are now really looking forward to outdoor tennis," Fernelius said.
Bethel will travel down Snelling Avenue Wednesday afternoon for a matchup with the University of Northwestern at 4:30 p.m. The next MIAC match for Bethel will come the following Saturday at Saint John's University.
