COLLEGVILLE, Minn. – It came down to the final singles match still going as
Brett Eliason broke the Saint John's serve to win in straight sets and capturing a 5-4 victory for the Bethel University men's tennis squad in the MIAC Playoff quarterfinals Wednesday evening.
The Royals advance to the MIAC Semifinals for the second time in three full years as the No. 5 seed. BU travels to top-seeded and 17th-nationally ranked Gustavus Adolphus Friday starting at 3:30 p.m.
Bethel went down 2-1 after doubles play where the duo of
Jacob Lukkarila and
Luke Wyly picked up the lone point rolling to an 8-4 victory at No. 2s.
The comeback was completed picking up four points in the singles matches.
Jason Reilly (6-2, 6-2) at No. 2 and No. 3
Jacob Lukkarila (6-2, 7-5) both picked up big wins while
Erik Beckers dropped the No. 1 match tying it at 3-3.
SJU went up 4-3 taking the No. 5 match over
Steven Benoy. At No. 4
Luke Wyly took his opening set 6-4, before earning the comeback victory in set number two evening it up.
With all eyes on freshman
Brett Eliason at No. 6, who had taken his first set 6-1, all he needed to do was to hold on to his lead in the second. Eliason won breakpoint on a service error giving BU the 5-4 victory.
Bethel University 5, Saint John's University 4
Singles competition
1. Wil McDowell (SJU) def.
Erik Beckers (BU) 6-2, 6-3
2.
Jason Reilly (BU) def. Peyton Fischer (SJU) 6-2, 6-2
3.
Jacob Lukkarila (BU) def. Ryan Will (SJU) 6-2, 7-5
4.
Luke Wyly (BU) def. Mark Rosen (SJU) 6-4, 6-2
5. Mike Krasowski (SJU) def.
Steven Benoy (BU) 6-2, 6-3
6.
Brett Eliason (BU) def. Daniel Perez (SJU) 6-1, 6-3
Doubles competition
1. Hunter Fischer/Wil McDowell (SJU) def.
Erik Beckers/
Jason Reilly (BU) 8-6
2.
Jacob Lukkarila/
Luke Wyly (BU) def. Peyton Fischer/Ryan Will (SJU) 8-4
3. Ian Aadland/Cooper Anderson (SJU) def.
Steven Benoy/
Andrew Holmes (BU) 8-4
