MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.— The Bethel men's tennis team fell to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles Saturday evening in a tight match. The Royals started off hot, winning the first three singles matches, but they came up empty at the final three single matches and went on to win one out of the three doubles matches. 
 
Matt Schull and Hunter Fernelius started off the evening on a winning note at No. 1 doubles prevailing 8-3. The Royals, however, were unable to close out the deal as they lost both No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. They rallied in singles play, where Matt Schull fought back from losing the first set 5-7, winning 6-1 and then 12-10 in a third set tiebreaker. No. 2 singles player Kolin Kiekhoefer followed in similar competitive fashion, winning the first set before taking the third set tiebreaker 10-3. The Royals continued to roll as Hunter Fernelius controlled his match at No. 3 singles, winning 6-2 and 6-4. From there, Bethel started to struggle as they fell in heartbreaking fashion at No. 4, 5, and 6 singles.
 
The Royals look to get back on track next Saturday as they face off against Saint Mary's University at the Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m.