WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. – In near four and a half hour match, the Bethel University women's tennis team dropped a close one to Division I Valparaiso University, 5-4.

After dropping the three doubles match, the Royals began a comeback in singles play but just feel short to suffer its first setback of the season with a now 3-1 record. The Royals begin Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play next Friday against Saint Mary's University at Baseline Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota. The match is set to begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Royals started out neck-and-neck with the Crusaders despite dropping all three doubles matches. Maggie Riermann and Grace Riermann dropped the No. 1 doubles match 8-7 with the tie breaker coming out 8-6. Jill Weinzettel and Mackenzie Novak battled at No. 2 doubles dropping the set 8-6.

Outside of the No. 6 singles win by forfeit, the top five singles match all went the distance being decided in the final set. The Royals top of the lineup all picked up wins in the comeback effort. Grace Riermann bounced backed after dropping the first set 6-1. Riermann gutted out a tiebreaker in the second set before taking the third 12-10.

Maggie Riermann at No. 2 doubles set the tone taking the opening set 6-3. After dropping the second set 4-6, Riermann bounced back with a 10-6 decision in set three to remain perfect in singles play for the year. Mackenzie Novak continues to dominate at the No. 3 singles position. Novak dropped the opening set 3-6 before completing the comeback with scores of 6-2 and 10-6. Jill Weinzettel and Sydney Rott both won their respective opening sets before dropping the next two to close out the night.