Results

NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team defeated St. Olaf 8-1 on Saturday afternoon, clinching a fourth-place finish in the MIAC standings.  It is also the fourth consecutive win for the Royals and the 19^th of the season which is a new program record.
 
"The guys exploded for a dominating win tonight, I'm extremely proud of the way they came out today and laid it all out there," said head coach Drew Fernelius.
 
The Royals captured complete control of the match beginning in doubles as they swept all three contests and never looked back.  Led by seniors Bret Lizotte and Luke Palmquist who each went 2-0 on the day, the Royals lost a total of just nine games in doubles and cruised to a 3-0 lead heading into singles.
 
While Bethel would eventually win five of the six singles points, the final four matches of the day were extremely competitive.  Palmquist and Lizotte again led the charge, along with Jakob Bartels, as they each triumphed in third-set tiebreakers to send the Royals home victorious.  Matt Schull and Kolin Kiekhoefer also notched a pair of convincing, straight-set victories in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions respectively.

Despite the big win and the fourth place standing the Royals will miss the MIAC playoffs as they finish in a three-way tie for fourth along with Saint John's and Macalester and did not have the necessary tie-breakers on their side. The top five teams make the MIAC playoffs.