NORTHFIELD, MINN.—The No. 5 seed Bethel University men's tennis team upset No. 4 seed St. Olaf 4-1 in the 2025-26 MIAC Men's Tennis Playoff Quarterfinal in Northfield, Minnesota on Wednesday. This comes after the Royals fell to the Oles 4-3 on the road a week ago today on April 22.Â
"Guys battled their hearts out for each other," said Royals head tennis coach Drew Fernelius. "Couldn't be more proud of them. Watty turned around an 0-6 first set to clinch it for us but it was a 100% team win today!"
The Royals improve to 19-3, and advance to the 2025-26 MIAC Men's Tennis Playoff Semifinal against top-seed Gustavus in St. Peter, Minnesota on Friday, May 1. The Oles end their season with a 10-9 record.
Bethel 4, St. Olaf 1
The Royals dropped the No. 2 doubles match 6-3 before Micah Gustafson/Zach Bengtson tied things 1-1 with a 6-3 victory at No. 3. Carter Sheard/Dylan Magistad clinched the doubles point for Bethel thanks to their 6-3 win at No. 1 doubles.
Bethel grabbed the lead for good when Gustafson won 6-2, 6-0 at No. 6 singles. Kade Bishop followed with a 6-2, 6-2 triumph at No. 5 before the Oles won their lone game at No. 4 singles 6-4, 7-6 (9-7). Watson Sheard iced the 4-1 win with a 0-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 3 singles.
