ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – It came down to the final match in progress at No. 2 singles, but Bethel's comeback efforts came up just shot falling to Macalester Saturday afternoon, 5-4.

The Royals trailed 2-1 after close matches in doubles play where Mackenzie Novak and Sydney Rott picked up Bethel's lone point.

Grace Riermann, Mackenzie Novak and Sydney Rott all picked up singles wins while Macalester took No. 4 and No. 6 singles. With the team score tied at 4-4 it came down to Maggie Riermann at No. 2 singles. She narrowly dropped the opening set in a tiebraker while giving it everything she had in the second set. Riermann, who had been on the court for three-plus hours, battled through some long rallies before coming up just short in the second set, 7-5.

Bethel moves to 8-5 on the year and 5-2 in MIAC play. With some numbers still to crunch, a win over St. Catherine on Friday would secure a MIAC Playoff spot for the Royals.

Macalester 5, Bethel University 4

Singles competition
1. Grace Riermann (BUW) def. Arista Siebrits (MAC) 6-1, 6-4
2. Sydney Ellison (MAC) def. Maggie Riermann (BUW) 7-6 (7-5), 7-5
3. Mackenzie Novak (BUW) def. Laurel Hickey (MAC) 6-2, 6-2
4. Amalin Sorajja (MAC) def. Ingrid Goldstrand (BUW) 6-2, 6-3
5. Sydney Rott (BUW) def. Natali Sorajja (MAC) 6-2, 7-5
6. Amanye Reynolds (MAC) def. Rylee Schurman (BUW) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Arista Siebrits/Sydney Ellison (MAC) def. Grace Riermann/Maggie Riermann (BUW) 8-7 (7-5)
2. Mackenzie Novak/Sydney Rott (BUW) def. Natali Sorajja/Amanye Reynolds (MAC) 8-6
3. Laurel Hickey/Emma Baker (MAC) def. Ingrid Goldstrand/Rylee Schurman (BUW) 8-4