Conference Highlights
Bethel plays in the MIAC, a strong division III conference. Bethel also plays a strong non-conference schedule as well as an annual spring break trip to Florida or Hawaii. Last year the Lady Royals were 19-5 (the most wins in school history) finishing 4th in the conference and winning their second straight home place match before losing to Gustavus in the conference semis
Post Season Highlights
With 8 straight play-off appearances and a 4th straight year with a home playoff win, Bethel looks to compete for a conference championship and an NCAA bid in 2024!
2024- MIAC Conference Playoff semi finals
2023- MIAC Conference Playoff semi finals
2022- MIAC Conference Play off Semi Finals
2021- MIAC Conference Play-off Semi Finals
2019 - Defeated Gustavus to make the MIAC Championship for the first time in school history
Finished 2024 - Nationally Ranked #27
Finihsed 2023 - Nationally Ranked #36
Finished 2022- Nationally Ranked (#33), Regionally Ranked (#8)
Individual Achievements
2023- Lauryn Douglas - ITA Champion and All-American - becomes Bethel's 4th All-American in the past 5 years
2021 - Grace Riermann - 6 Time All-American, NCAA Tournament Singles and Double -
Sydney Rott - becomes Bethel's 3rd All-American and 6th with over 100 career wins
2020- Grace and Maggie Riermann - All-Americans and reach NCAA Semi Finals in Doubles while Grace reached the quarter finals in singles and All-American status for the 4th time
2019 - Maggie and Grace Riermann - ITA Doubles Champions and Bethel's First All-Americans
2019 - Nationally Ranked Singles Grace Riermann, Doubles Maggie and Grace Riermann Regionally Ranked and All MIAC - Grace, Maggie, Mackenzie Novak and Jill Weinzettle
2018 - All Confernence - Maggie Riermann, Mattie Kidder, Mackenzie Novak and Jill Weintzell - Maggie and Mattie - Central Regional Ranking in the top 15 double teams
2017 - All Conference Sydney Parkinson, Mattie Kidder, Sami Hindt and Jill Weintzell
2016 - Freshman Sydney Parkinson and Sophmore Mattie Kidder were both unanimous All-MIAC selections. Parkinson and fellow freshman Jill Weintzell were also All-Conference in doubles.
2013 Abby Edin and Lisa Scheevel were both selection as All-Conference performers in.
Kristin Vivian, Lisa Scheevel Abby Edin selected Academic All-Conference in 2013.
Kristin Vivian and Larissa Voss were selected Academic All-Conference in 2014.
Coaching Achievements
2024 - Finished the year 18-4 and nationally ranked all year in the top 30
2019- MIAC Coach of the Year for the second straight year and 3rd time in the past 4 year
2019 - 5th straight playoff appearance, MIAC runners-up defeating Gustavus 5-3 in the semi finals
2018- MIAC Coach of the Year - 4th Straight Playoff Appearance and second year with a home playoff win vs Macalester
2017 - School Record 19-5 with first home place win vs St Kates
2016 - MIAC Coach of the Year
Drew Fernelius enters his 7th year as the new men's and women's tennis coach. Fernelius was voted coach of the year last year with a school record 19-5 season and a close 4-5 loss in the playoffs. 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
* Led the women's program to their first ever MIAC playoff appearance and now a playoff regular
* School Record 19-5 season in 2015-2016
* Women's team finished two spots higher (5th) than they were picked to finish in the MIAC Women's Tennis Preseason Coaches Poll
* Tucker Morris presented the 2013 MIAC Arthur Ashe Award, the first Royal to earn the MIAC's highest honor
*Sydney Parkinson, Mattie Kidder and Jillweintzell were All-MIAC conference selections 2015-2016
* Abby Edin and Lisa Scheevel named to the MIAC Women's Tennis All-Conference doubles team 2013-2014
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."
