ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The No. 25th-ranked Bethel University women's tennis team earned itself a 7-2 victory over St. Catherine Saturday afternoon at Ona Orth Athletic Complex. The win gives the Royals a spot in the MIAC Playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, the second longest active streak among MIAC teams, and at least a top three seed.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• The No. 2 doubles team of Emma Thole and Julia Baber found themselves with an early 3-0 lead. They were able to hold that momentum, eventually growing it up to a five-game differential before taking the match 8-3.
• Junior Courtney Nuest exchanged breaks throughout her entire first set at 5th, finding herself down 4-5. However, she broke back, taking the next three consecutive games for the win. Then in her second set, she took an early 2-1 lead and never let her opponent gain another game, ultimately winning 7-5, 6-1.
• Sixth singles player Malia McKinnon had no issues taking her first set 6-1. Unfortunately, her opponent began to fight back, almost forcing her into a third set tiebreaker. Luckily, she broke back at 4-5 and took the second set 7-5 after nearly an hour and a half
 
QUOTE FROM COACH FERNELIUS
"Solid effort and bounce back win after Wednesday's loss. Proud of how the ladies played today and all the work they've put in this season. Looking forward to Gustavus tomorrow."
 
THE SCORES
Singles:
1. Kelsey Dorr (SCU) def. Lauryn Douglas (BU) 6-2, 6-1
2. Michaella Sullivan (BU) def. Sofia Walker (SCU) 6-2, 6-2
3. Julia Baber (BU) def. Faith Simon (SCU) 6-0, 6-1
4. Emma Thole (BU) def. Erin Loterbauer (SCU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Courtney Nuest (BU) def. Monica Zink (SCU) 7-5, 6-1
6. Malia McKinnon (BU) def. Lily Holmberg (SCU) 6-1, 7-5
 
Doubles:
1. Kelsey Dorr and Sofia Walker (SCU) def. Lauryn Douglas and Michaella Sullivan (BU) 8-5
2. Julia Baber and Emma Thole (BU) def. Monica Zink and Faith Simon (SCU) 8-3
3. Bryna Eigenfeld and Courtney Nuest (BU) def. Erin Loterbauer and Erica Wing (SCU) 8-5

UP NEXT
The Royals travel down to St. Peter on Sunday taking on Gustavus Adolphus in the regular season finale. The winner of the match will earn the two seed in the playoffs while the loser will be the No. 3 seed. First serve comes at noon.


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