ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — The Bethel University men's tennis team played two great matches this weekend, which led to a 7-2 win over St. Olaf College (1-9, 1-6 MIAC) Saturday afternoon and a 4-5 loss at the University of St. Thomas (13-1, 7-0 MIAC) on Sunday. BU is now 15-5 overall and 5-3 in conference play as a result of the two-day split, which guarantees the Royals a berth in the 2017 MIAC Playoffs. Bethel's trip to the postseason is the program's first since 2014 and second since 2010.
 
The Bethel Royals fought to a 7-2 win over the Oles of St. Olaf Saturday afternoon.  After prevailing in two tight doubles matches, the Royals fought to win five of the six singles matches. 
 
All of the doubles matches proved to be tight as Bethel got wins at No. 1 and 2 and just barely lost at No. 3 doubles.  Matt Schull and Hunter Fernelius won at No. 1 doubles 8-6, while Kolin Kiekhoefer and Noah Ridgway took care of business at No. 2 doubles winning 8-5. 
 
The Royals took their 2-1 advantage into singles play where No. 1 player Matt Schull battled to win 6-4, 6-3, while Kolin Kiekhoefer got another win at No. 2 singles with scores of 6-1, 6-4.  Hunter Fernelius came through in a third set tiebreaker winning 6-3, 5-7, 10-5 and Jakob Bartels and Noah Ridgway each followed with key victories.  Bartles won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 4 singles while Ridgway won 7-6(2), 6-4. 
 
"We endured many challenging matches," said Coach Fernelius. "But it was our effort and determination that helped us pull out the win."

After defeating the Oles, BU jumped right back into action Sunday when taking on the Tommies of St. Thomas. Bethel suffered a heartbreaking loss to UST by a final score of 4-5, despite winning two of three doubles matches.
 
A highlight of the day came at No. 1 doubles where Matt Schull and Hunter Fernelius defeated one of the top doubles team in the country by a score of 8-3.  Kolin Kiekhoefer and Noah Ridgway followed at No. 2 doubles winning 8-5 to give the Royals an unexpected 2-1 lead heading into singles. 

Both Kolin Kiekhoefer and Hunter Fernelius cruised to wins at No. 2 and 3 singles with Kiekhoefer winning 6-0, 6-1 and Fernelius winning 6-4, 6-1.  Those wins gave Bethel four points, but unfortunately, they were unable to get points in No. 4, 5 or 6 singles. 

With the meet tied 4-4, it all came down to No. 1 singles.  Bethel's No. 1 singles player Matt Schull dropped the first set 0-6 before fighting back to win the second set 7-5.  The third set tiebreaker was close as Schull led 9-8, but eventually lost 11-9, which sealed the victory for St. Thomas.
 
"Disappointed in the loss but not the effort," Coach Fernelius said. "It was one of the best matches that I've been associated with in my five years here."  
 
The Royals look to end their regular season with a win on senior day as they take on Hamline University next Saturday at 2:30 p.m.  The match will be held at the Ona Orth Athletic Complex in Arden Hills, Minn.