Conference Highlights
Bethel plays in the MIAC, a strong division III conference. Last year Bethel post a school record for wins finishing 19-5 and 4th in the conference. Bethel also plays a strong non-conference schedule as well as an annual spring break trip to Florida, South Carolina or Hawaii.
Post Season Highlights
2022 - MIAC Conference Play-offs, Defeated St John's 5-4 to avenge previous loss and reach the semi finals for the 4th time
2021 - MIAC Player for the 3rd year in a row
2020 3rd Place in the MIAC - school record for consecutive playoff apperences
2018 3rd Place in the MIAC,
2018 MIAC Playoff Win vs Macalester
2016 Record was 20-5 (Team Record for Wins in a Season!)
2016 MIAC Playoff win vs St Johns
2014 MIAC Playoff Team
Tournament Highlights
2022- Finished 5th in the conference, defeated #4 St Johns in the first round of the MIAC Playoffs before falling to GAC in the semis
2021- Finished 4th in the Conference and reach the MIAC Playoffs
2020 - Top 3 in the conference, no playoffs due to Covid-19
2019 Finished 3rd in Confernece - reached semi-finals in the playoffs2018 Playoff Win vs Macalester - reaching the semi-finals
2016 Playoff Win vs St Johns
2014 MIAC Playoff Team
Individual Achievements
2013 - All Conference - Tucker Morris and Reggie Ronning
2013 - Arthur Ashe Award Winner (recognized as the highest honor a deserving senior in the country can achieve) - Tucker Morris
2013 - Academic All-Conference - Steven Schull and Reggie Ronning
2014 - All Conference - Matt Schull, Kolin Kiekhoefer and Luke Palmquist
2015- All Conference - Matt Schull, Kolin Kiekhoefer, and Luke Palmquist
2016 - All Conference - Matt Schull (third time), Kolin Kiekhoefer (third time), Luke Palmquist (third time) and freshman Hunter Fernelius
2016- Matt Schull - Selected Academic All-District, nominated for Academic All-American
Fall 2016 - Sophomores Henry Morris and Hunter Fernelius - ITA Midwest Doubles Champions
Spring 2017 - School Record 5 All-MIAC Players - Matt Schull (4th time) Kolin Kiekhoefer (4th time), Hunter Fernelius (2nd time), Jakob Bartels (1st time), Noah Ridgway (1st time)
2018 - Hunter Fernelius became Bethel's All-Time win leader with 133 wins and was named the Athur Ashe Award Winner for the MIAC
2018 All Conference - Hunter Fernelius, Erik Beckers and Jason Reilly Honorable Mention Zach Kantor (singles), Nick Knudsen and Joey Mueller double
2019 - Multiple All Conference Award Winners - Jason Reilly, Erik Beckers and Zach Kantor
2021- Most All-Conference Award Winners - Jason Reilly, Erik Beckers, Joey Mueller, Jacob Lukkarila, Tyler Creelman
2022- 4 All-Conference winners - Erik Beckers, Jason Reilly, Luke Wyly and Jacob Lukkarilla
2023 - 3 All-Conference Performers - Dylan Magistad, Luke Wyly and Jackson Meyer
Coaching Achievements
Drew Fernelius enters his 10th year as the new men's and women's tennis coach. A former Minnesota State High School Tennis Champion and two-time NCAA Tennis All-American at the University of St. Thomas, Fernelius brings exceptional depth that will enhance player's on-the-court performance and off-the-court experience.
AT BETHEL:
*2017 Record 20-5 and first every home playoff win vs St Johns
* Led the men's program to the playoffs in 2014 for the first time in 6 years and beating St Thomas for the first time in school history
* School record 19-5 and 4th place finish in the MIAC in 2016
* Led the women's program to their first ever MIAC playoff appearance in 20113
*2016 MIAC coach of the Year and playoff appearance
* Men's team finished four spots higher (4th) than they were picked to finish in the MIAC Men's Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll
* Tucker Morris presented the 2013 MIAC Arthur Ashe Award, the first Royal to earn the MIAC's highest honor
* Morris and Reggie Ronning named MIAC All-Conference as singles players and doubles partners in 2013
* Matt Schull, Kolin Kiekhofer and Luke Palmquist were all named to the MIAC All-Conference team in 2014, 2015, and 2016, Freshman Hunter Fernelius All-Conference 2016
* Record 5 MIAC All-Conference Award Winners in 2017
ROBBINSDALE ARMSTRONG SUCCESS
* Increased participation by 25 percent and tripled the number of winning matches for both teams within just two seasons at Robbinsdale Armstrong High School
* 2009 Section 6AA Coach of the Year
PLAYING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
* Two-time NCAA Division III All-American at the University of St. Thomas
* Minnesota High School State Champion at New London-Spicer High School
MINISTRY WORK
* Served as the Assistant Director of Spiritual Growth at Cornerstone Church in Crystal, Minn., helping to train and develop personal and spiritual growth in people of all ages
PERSONAL LIFE
* Lives in New Hope with his wife, Lisa, and their five children; Hunter, Ben, Mikaela, Faith and Gracie
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH FERNELIUS
"Coach Fernelius has pumped a lot of intensity into the program. He demonstrated and instilled the value of hard work for our team, which led to visible improvements in our tennis play and camaraderie on the team throughout the course of the season. His dedication to the team and to the players as individuals is readily apparent, which will be so helpful for the program moving forward."
--Tucker Morris, 2013 MIAC Arthur Ashe Award Winner
"Drew Fernelius is a gifted leader who is casting a compelling vision for the future of Bethel tennis, says Athletic Director Bob Bjorklund. His high energy spirit and engaging demeanor will serve him well as he takes over as head coach. Bjorklund continues, Drew will mobilize our men's and women's teams with his commitment to team building and competitive excellence. I am excited for our tennis student athletes and thrilled to bring his many talents into the culture of our athletic department".
"I am incredibly excited for this opportunity to coach tennis at Bethel University, says Fernelius. I believe it will be an excellent opportunity to combine my passion for tennis and ministry, and I am pumped for the chance to lead this program. I love helping young tennis players reach their top potential and plan on building a championship team."
