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ST. PETER, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team competed over the weekend at the ITA Midwest Region Championships hosted by Gustavus Adolphus College. The Royals efforts were led by senior
Hunter Fernelius and freshman Erik Beckers as both had great showings in the ITA main draw both on the singles side and as doubles partners. Three Royals, Fernelius and Beckers, along with
Zach Kantor competed in the main draw while five others competed in the the Midwest Open draw; Jason Reilly,
Nick Knudsen, Peter Watchler,
Joey Mueller and Andrew Jenson.
Fernelius earned the No. 6 overall seed out of 128 players going into the tournament, the highest seeding in Bethel's history, and he performed up to the billing. After a first-round bye, Fernelius won the next three rounds against quality opponents before losing a heartbreaker in the round of 16 to a player from Carleton. Erik Beckers, competing in his first ITA, lost a first round marathon match 6-4, 2-6, 6-7 (4-7). He rebounded from the three hour long match however and would go on to win five consecutive consolation matches before falling in the consolation finals.
"Hunter's competitveness and drive continues to lead the team in ways that are hard to put into words," said Bethel assistant tennis coach
Rick Ronning. Head coach
Drew Fernelius added "Hunter refusing to quit and his passion, energy and love for our team and teammates sets the example for what our team is all about while Erik's run on Saturday, winning five straight matches, was impressive and shows that he has the ability, heart and determination to play at a super high level."
Fernelius and Beckers teamed up in doubles play, winning their first round match over an opponent from Hamline by an 8-0 score. They fell in the round of 16 to a tough team from Gustavus. Also playing in the doubles competition was
Zach Kantor and Nich Knudsen who lost their first round match 6-8 to Grinnell College's top doubles team. Kantor also competed in the singles tournament, winning his first match against the No. 1 singles player from St. Olaf before falling to Luther College's top singles player and the No. 17 overall seed in the tournament.
In the Midwest Open draw freshman Jason Reilly won his first two matches before falling in the third round. Nich Knudsen won his first round match before falling to the eventual semi-finalist from Gustavus in a three-set match. Peter Watchler won his first round match in a three-set battle with a Hamline player before falling in the next round to an opponent from UW-Eau Claire.
Joey Mueller and Andrew Jenson both lost their first round matches while Mueller rebounded to win a pair of matches in the consolation bracket.
In Midwest Draw doubles play Andrew Jenson and Peter Watchler won their first two rounds by scores of 8-0 and 8-4 before falling 4-8 to a team from Macalester.
With over 250 players from our region, I was super impressed with the guys attitudes and the way they competed and supported each other all weekend," said coach Fernelius. "We had a great month of fall tennis and I am super excited for the possibilities when our regular season starts in 2019."
