Results

FRIDLEY, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team began their season on Friday night with a well-rounded 9-0 win over the Milwaukee School of Engineering.  After coming away with an 8-1 victory in last year's opening matchup against the Raiders, the Royals once again used dominant singles play to earn their first win of the season at the Lifetime Fitness in Fridley.
 
"It was a great way to start the season and I'm really proud of the boys for coming out and putting together a convincing performance to start the season," said head coach Drew Fernelius.
 
For the second year in a row, the No. 1 doubles team of Matt Schull and Luke Palmquist took the first point for the Royals after cruising through an 8-0 opening match.  Kolin Kiekhoefer and Hunter Fernelius quickly followed with the next score as the No. 3 doubles team, capturing an 8-1 victory.  In stunningly similar fashion to last year, Brett Lizotte found his team in need of a comeback, this time in the No. 2 slot with teammate Jakob Bartels.  The team trailed 0-4 to start the match but eventually pulled off the comeback to win 9-7 in a thriller.
 
After taking all three doubles matches, Bethel pulled away in the singles as they won all six matches in straight sets.  Following a deep run in the ITA Regionals to end the fall season, freshman Hunter Fernelius led the Royals in singles play on Friday after quickly defeating his opponent 6-1, 6-0 to give Bethel their fourth point of the night.  Matt Schull then notched the clinching point with a 6-2, 6-2 win from the No. 1 position to secure the victory for Bethel.  The remaining singles matches were handled comfortably by the Royals.
 
"Overall, it was a solid way to begin the 2016 season and I'm looking forward to another hard week of practice," assessed Fernelius.
 
The Royals will now look ahead to next weekend's doubleheader at the Owatonna Tennis Club where they will take on Wartburg College followed by Bethany Lutheran College.