ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team lost to the University of St. Thomas on Saturday, taking their record to 15-5 on the season and 2-4 in the conference.
 
"The guys really did have one of their best matches of the year.  We had our chances but just weren't able to come away with the victory," said head coach Drew Fernelius.
 
After losing the No. 2 doubles match 3-8, the Royals came back to win the No. 3 match 8-4 behind the efforts of Hunter Fernelius and Jakob Bartels.  With the squads tied 1-1, the No. 1 match involving Matt Schull and Luke Palmquist was the only one left to be decided.  The Royals ultimately lost the decision 7-9 to give the Tommies a one-point lead entering singles play.
 
Fernelius continued his success in singles as he recorded a straight-set win from the No. 4 position to inch the Royals closer to the Tommies.  Teammate Kolin Kiekhoefer also notched an impressive 6-1, 6-1 triumph in the No. 2 match but it was not enough to get the team victory as the Tommies won the remaining four matches, including two third-set tiebreakers.
 
The Royals will look to rebound on Sunday when they play St. John's, a team that currently sits fourth in the MIAC standings.  The match is slated to begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex.