NORTHFIELD, Minn. – Bethel women's tennis dropped a close match to St. Olaf Wednesday evening on the road, 5-4.
After being swept in doubles play, five of the six singles matches started out with a Royal trailing 1-4 or 2-5 in the first set. Four of the Royals were able to battle back, but unfortunately, it was not enough to make up the slow start.
It's Bethel's second loss of the season moving them to 16-2 overall and drop them to 6-2 in the MIAC where they sit in third.
How it Happened:
• With her 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 victory, freshman
Malia McKinnon continues her winning streak, going six of six in singles matches so far this season, all of them won in straight sets
• After falling behind 0-4 in the first set, No. 4 singles player
Emma Thole battled back to take it 7-5. Unfortunately, she fell down 2-3 in the second and was not able to break back. Then in the third set tiebreaker, she fell down early 3-8, but refused to go out without a fight. She won the next five consecutive points and staved off two match points before ultimately losing 7-5, 2-6, 8-10.
• The No. 2 doubles team
Emma Thole and
Julia Baber found themselves down 1-4, but broke back, ultimately leading to a tiebreak for the set. Once again, St. Olaf got an early 4-1 lead, but the girls fought hard. Unfortunately, they were never able to gain the upper hand and fell 7-8 (5-7)
Quote from Coach Fernelius
"Extremely tough loss tonight. Just came out flat in doubles and built a deep hole. The ladies battled their hearts out and almost pulled off the improbable come from behind win, but came up just short. Credit to St. Olaf, they came ready to play and battled until the end too"
The Scores
Singles:
1. Olha Zubarieva (STO) def.
Lauryn Douglas (BU) 6-3, 7-5
2.
Michaella Sullivan (BU) def. Jane Spading (STO) 6-2, 6-3
3.
Julia Baber (BU) def. Alexandra Berns (STO) 7-5, 6-1
4. Fiona O'Flaherty (STO) def.
Emma Thole (BU) 5-7, 6-2, 10-8
5.
Courtney Nuest (BU) def. Sarah Clark (STO) 7-5, 6-2
6.
Malia McKinnon (BU) def. Elliana Loesch (STO) 7-6 (7-1), 6-1
Doubles:
1. Sarah Clark and Olha Zubarieva (STO) def.
Lauryn Douglas and
Michaella Sullivan (BU) 8-6
2. Alexandra Berns and Fiona O'Flaherty (STO) def.
Julia Baber and
Emma Thole (BU) 8-7 (7-5)
3. Jane Spading and Anna Secor (STO) def.
Bryna Eigenfeld and
Courtney Nuest (BU) 8-5
Up Next:
The Royals are back in action Saturday afternoon when they take on St. Kate's in their final home match of the regular season. Frist serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ona Orth Athletic Complex.
