Hamline Results | Northwestern Results

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team grabbed a pair of victories on Saturday as they took down Hamline University followed by the University of Northwestern.  The Royals have now won three consecutive matches and successfully kept their playoff aspirations alive with just one match remaining.
 
"It was a great day for the men to keep our postseason hopes alive, this is obviously the most important week of the season for our guys," said head coach Drew Fernelius.
 
The Royals started the day at Hamline University with a crucial 9-0 win after sweeping the doubles.  All three teams put forth convincing performances to give the Royals the advantage heading into singles play and they never looked back.  It was important for Bethel to secure all nine points as they are in a heated race for the fifth and final MIAC playoff spot and the tiebreaker will go to the team who has won the most total points.
 
In the second match of the day, the Royals cruised to a 7-2 triumph in a nonconference contest against the Northwestern Eagles.  Bethel once again picked up all three doubles points as they were able to play ten different players in the match.  After heading into singles play with the 3-0 lead, the Royals captured wins in each of the first three matches which clinched the team victory.  Sophomore and Iowa native Caleb Perkins then closed out the day with a 6-4, 6-4 win on the No. 6 court.
 
The Royals will now prepare for their final match of the regular season which will take place in Northfield against St. Olaf.  The Oles are one of the two other teams the Royals are battling for the final playoff berth and thus the match will be crucial in determining each team's postseason fate.  The action will begin on Saturday at 2 p.m.