ST. PETER, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team opened up Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 9-0 loss to the No. 8 Gustavus Adolphus College Saturday morning. The Royals then bounced back with a 4-3 win over Division II Augustana University (SD) to move to 4-2 on the year.

Bethel against the Gusties dropped their conference opener in straight sets. Joey Mueller and Jason Reilly at No. 2 doubles battled to the end before dropping the closest set at 8-6.
Hunter Fernelius and Erik Beckers bounced back at No. 1 doubles against Agustana after being shut out by the Gusties. The duo won 6-4 while Joey Mueller and Jason Reilly took the No. 3 doubles 6-1 to earn Bethel the doubles point in the division scoring format.

Fernelius took care of business at No. 1 singles by scores of 6-3, 6-4. Zach Kantor at No. 3 singles won 6-3, 6-1 while Jason Reilly swept the table at No. 5 with a 6-0, 6-0 decision to round out the scoring for the Royals.

BU continues league play next week with a pair of home MIAC matchups. The Royals take on Saint Mary's University next Friday at 7 p.m. inside the Baseline Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Bethel caps off the weekend with Carleton on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.