ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Bethel University men's tennis team pulled off an exciting victory against Macalester College Thursday afternoon, winning 6-3 over the visiting Scots. This was a significant win for the Royals, as they now stand alone with three regular-season matches remaining. Today also marked Coach Fernelius' first win against Macalester in his five-year tenure at BU. Doubles proved to be a difference maker for Bethel, as they started the afternoon off with a sweep in all three matches.
 
No. 1 doubles pair Matt Schull and Hunter Fernelius started off with an 8-3 victory while Kolin Kiekhoefer and Noah Ridgway rolled to a 8-0 win at No. 2 doubles. No. 3 doubles pair Henry Morris and Jakob Bartles pulled out a close 8-6 win, sending the Royals into singles up 3-0. 

As they moved into singles, tiebreakers proved to be the theme of the day. Matt Schull lost at No. 1 singles in a close third set tiebreaker 6-3, 2-6, 6-10. From there, Kolin Kiekhoefer got Bethel the fourth point at No. 2 singles winning 6-2, 6-1. Things tightened up as the next four matches went into a third set tiebreaker. Bethel got the go-ahead points when Hunter Fernelius and Jakob Bartles won at No. 3 and 4 singles. Fernelius dropped his second set 2-6 after winning 6-2 in the first set.  He then rallied to win the third set tiebreaker 10-7 after trailing 6-7. After witnessing Fernelius' victory at No. 3 singles, Bartles followed in similar fashion, also winning the third set tiebreaker 10-7 giving BU the sixth point. The Royals fell in the next two matches, both in close third set tiebreakers, bringing the final score to 6-3.

"I know the guys will be ready to get back at it next week," said Coach Fernelius. "But regardless of what happens down the stretch, today was a really big win. I'm really proud of the way the guys came out and finished the job."

Bethel will have a week off before welcoming St. Olaf on April 22 at 2 p.m. The meet will be held at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex in Arden Hills, Minn.