RESULTS

MINNEAPOLIS—Bethel University women's tennis team was back in action Saturday night with a huge conference clash against Carleton College at the University of Minnesota's Baseline Tennis Center. The Royals (9-3, 3-1 MIAC) held a 2-1 advantage after doubles play, but fell short to the Knights (10-3, 6-0 MIAC)—who were predicted to win the league in the preseason coaches' poll—by a final score of 2-7.

The match opened with doubles play, where Bethel's No. 1 and 2 doubles delivered sizeble wins. Mackenzie Novak and Jill Weinzettel won at No. 2 doubles by a final score of 8-4. No. 1 doubles came down to the wire, but Maggie Riermann and Mattie Kidder pulled out the gutsy 9-7 win to give BU a 2-1 advantage heading into singles play.

The Royals needed three more points to upset the Knights and despite unbelievable matches at No. 1, 2, and 3 singles, BU was unable to grab a point in singles play. Maggie Riermann fell to No. 15-ranked Zoe Park 6-4, 5-7, 2-10 at No. 1 singles, while Mackenzie Novak, who just moved up to No. 2 singles, fell 1-6, 6-2, 3-10 and Mattie Kidder lost 6-4, 4-6, 8-10 at No. 3 singles.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't seal the deal to win those close matches at the end," Head Coach Drew Fernelius said. "Hopefully that will give us momentum and some motivation as we face some tough teams coming up."

The Royals will look to bounce back Tuesday, April 10 in their match against Macalester College. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the Baseline Tennis Center. The Scots enter the matchup with a 3-7 record.