MINNEAPOLIS – The Bethel University men's tennis team battled its way to a thrilling 5-4 victory over St. Thomas Saturday afternoon inside the Baseline Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

The Royals took all three doubles point to help lead the way as BU hits the .500 mark for the season at 9-9 and 4-3 in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play. Up next the Royals will host Maclaester College Monday at Ona Orth Athletic Complex beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Hunter Fernelius and Jason Reilly helped the Royals start on a good note with an 8-2 win at the top doubles position. Joey Mueller and Nick Knudsen followed it up with an 8-4 win at No. 3 doubles before Zach Kantor and Erik Beckers took the final doubles point with an 8-5 win.

UST looked to make a comeback taking the 2, 4, 5 and 6 singles matches. Hunter Fernelius picked up a 6-2, 6-3 at the top singles before Erik Beckers gave Bethel the victory with a win at No. 3 singles.

Thursday: #38 Carleton 7, Bethel 2
Joey Mueller and Nick Knudsen picked up the Royals lone doubles with in tiebreaker fashion. The duo took the tiebreaker 7-4 as BU trailed 2-1 after doubles play.

Knudsen went the distance as the Royals No. 5 singles player. Knudsen took the opening set 7-6 (7-4) before taking the second in tiebreaker fashion.