The Bethel University men’s tennis team is set to open up the spring portion of its 2022-23 season Saturday, Jan. 28 taking on Central at the Rochester Tennis Club. 

The Royals went 11-9 last season and were 5-4 in the MIAC having reached the MIAC Playoffs for the ninth time in program history. The Royals defeated Saint John’s in the quarterfinals before falling to nationally-ranked Gustavus Adolphus in the semifinals. 

Bethel is set to play four indoor “home” matches at Rogers Tennis Center from Saturday, Feb. 4 through March 5. This year’s spring break trip will be in Hilton Head, S.C. before returning back north for the back stretch of the schedule that features seven MIAC matches and a non-conference title with Wisconsin-Eau Claire. All home matches beginning in April will be at Ona Orth Athletic Complex. 

Losing their top three singles players from last season due to graduation, the Royals return last year’s No. 4 player in senior Luke Wyly. Wyly went 13-6 and won six of his last nine matches to close out last year. He was 12-8 in doubles where he played No. 2 last year with Jacob Lukkarila. He was named to both the singles and doubles All-MIAC team last year. 

Sophomore Brett Eliason went 9-10 as the No. 6 singles player last year and played in two doubles matches. 

Head coach Drew Fernelius brings in four newcomers in Ethan Ahrar, Dylan Magistad, Jackson Meyer and Robert Seaton. 

Ahrar, a Lakeville, Minn. native, was an all-conference honoree and Lakeville South Cougar award winner in 2022.

Magistad, a Stillwater, Minn. native, is a two-sport athlete having also played men’s soccer. 

Meyer, also from Lakeville, Minn. and a teammate of Ahrar’s at Lakeville South, was a two-time MVP and four-time all-conference award winner. In his senior season he was an individual section champion and state qualifier. 

Seaton, an Omaha, Neb. native, placed fourth as the No. 1 singles last year and in 2020-21 was First Team All-State with a third-place finish.