ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University men's tennis team began the weekend with a 6-3 win over non-conference foe St. Scholastica Friday evening before falling to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on the road 8-1 Saturday morning.

Now 3-1 on the season, the Royals open up MIAC play next Saturday, Feb. 16 at Gustavus Adolphus College at 9:30 a.m. Bethel will then take on Division II Augustana University (SD) at 1 p.m.

Friday – Bethel 6, St. Scholastica 3
The Royals showed their depth winning towards the bottom of their lineup in singles play. At No. 3 singles, sophomore Zach Kantor battled out a three set win by scores of 6-3, 3-6, 10-8. Freshman Joey Mueller won his second three set match of the season at No. 6 singles. Mueller completed the comeback, after dropping the first set 3-6, with a flawless second set (6-0) before taking the third set 10-4.

Bethel earned team points from No. 3 singles Nick Knudsen and No. 5 singles Jason Reilly who both won in straight sets.

The No. 1 doubles team of Hunter Fernelius and Erik Beckers dropped a tough No.1 doubles match to Rafa Gonzalez and Serhii Tykhoneko 8-5. Joey Mueller and Jason Reilly earned Bethel's first point taking the No. 3 doubles match 8-2 before Zach Kanto and Nick Knudsen won the No. 2 doubles match 8-4.

Saturday – UW-Eau Claire 8, Bethel 1
BU suffered its first set back of the season with a loss to the UW-Eau Claire on the road Saturday morning.

No. 1 singles player Hunter Fernelius picked the lone point for Bethel playing one of his best matches yet in a 6-4, 6-2 decision.

Nick Knudsen at No. 4 singles took his opening set 6-4 before dropping the next two. Jason Reilly battled at No. 5 singles dropping the first set in a tie break before being edged in the second set 3-6.

At No. 3 doubles, Joey Muller and Jason Reilly had the closes edge in doubles play. The duo fell in a marathon match 8-7 after dropping the tie breaker 7-3.