Results

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Saint John's tennis returned to conference action with an 8-1 win over Bethel on Friday, April 6, at the Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis.

The win snapped a five-match losing streak for SJU (10-2, 4-0 MIAC) in the series and the 8-1 victory was the largest margin over the Royals since 2006 (8-1).

Senior Tim Larson (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson), junior Ryan Meger (Stillwater, Minn./Mahtomedi) and freshman Thomas Gillach (Lindstrom, Minn./Chisago Lakes) all won their singles matches at Nos. 1-3, respectively, in straight sets, as did junior Jonah Punnoose (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) at No. 6. Gillach improved to 4-0 in the MIAC (9-3 overall), while Larson (11-4 overall), Meger (9-5 overall) and Punnoose (10-4 overall) moved to 3-1 in the league.

Freshman Nate Jordre (St. Cloud, Minn./Tech) won his ninth match in a row, and first at No. 5 singles, via the super-breaker to expand his season record to 13-1 (4-0 MIAC).

The Royals' (4-6, 1-4 MIAC) lone win was at No. 4 via the super-breaker.

Gillach and Larson won their 11th straight doubles match, 8-6, to improve to 11-0 at No. 1 (12-1 overall, 4-0 MIAC). Jordre and Punnoose won 8-2 at No. 2 and Meger teamed up with sophomore Jess Hansen (Dawson, Minn./Dawson-Boyd) to post an 8-4 victory at No. 3.

The Johnnies take on St. Thomas (5-7, 2-3 MIAC) at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Life Time Fitness in Lakeville.