BEMDIJI, Minn. - The Bemidji State University tennis team defeated Minnesota State University Moorhead 5-4 in dramatic fashion to extend its winning streak to four Friday afternoon at Gillette Recreation-Fitness Center.

The Beavers fell behind 4-2 before rallying back to take the match after the final three players won their single’s matches.

The match was decided at No. 6 singles with Amy Erickson’s (Sr., Roseau, Minn.) victory over Alyse Grelson. Erickson won the first set 6-4, but needed a second set tie-breaker to seal the match. With the win, Bemidji State improves to 4-3 overall and 4-2 in NSIC play.

In doubles play the duo of Kali Welu (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) and Kelli Christiansen (Bemidji, Minn.) earned an 8-4 victory over the Dragons tandem of Kayla Huether and Kathryn Neubauer. The Dragons were victorius in the final two double matches, with Emily Delancy and Ellie Matheson defeating the Bemidji State tandem of Kara Johnson (Anoka, Minn.) and Farrah Steinke (Crosby, Minn.) 8-5 at No. 2 doubles. In No. 3 doubles, the Dragon duo of Laura Benz and Grelson earned a 9-7 victory over Cheyanne Maki (Watford, ND) and Brittney Greenwaldt (Morris, Minn.).

In singles play, the Beavers earned straight set victories from Welu, Nicole Christiansen (Bemidji, Minn.), and Erickson. Erickson and Nicole Christiansen remain undefeated in conference play. At No. 3 singles Moorhead’s Emily DeLancy defeated Steinke in straight sets. No. 4 and No. 5 singles were both decided in the third set. At No. 4 singles the Dragons’ Matheson defeated Kelli Christiansen 6-2, 3-6, 10-5, and at No. 5 singles the Beaver’s Julie Kapsner (Pierz, Minn.) earned a third set victory over Laura Benz 7-6, 2-6, 11-9.

Bemidji State will look to extend its current win streak Saturday against Augustana College. The Beavers and Vikings will get underway at 6 p.m. in Grand Forks, N.D. Bemidji State University, located in Bemidji, Minn., is an NCAA Division II institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

Bemidji State University 5, MSU Moorhead 4
Mar 06, 2009 at Bemidji, Minn.

Singles competition
1. Kali Welu (BSU) def. Kayla Huether (MSUM) 7-5, 6-2
2. Nicole Christiansen (BSU) def. Kthryn Neubauer (MSUM) 6-1, 6-3
3. Emily Delancy (MSUM) def. Farrah Steinke (BSU) 6-2, 6-2
4. Ellen Matheson (MSUM) def. Kelli Christiansen (BSU) 6-2, 3-6, 1-0
5. Julie Kapsner (BSU) def. Laura Benz (MSUM) 7-6, 2-6, 1-0
6. Amy Erickson (BSU) def. Alyse Grelson (MSUM) 6-4, 7-6

Doubles competition
1. Kali Welu/Kelli Christiansen (BSU) def. Kayla Huether/Kthryn Neubauer (MSUM) 8-4
2. Emily Delancy/Ellen Matheson (MSUM) def. Kara Johnson/Farrah Steinke (BSU) 8-5
3. Laura Benz/Alyse Grelson (MSUM) def. Cheyanne Maki/Brittney Greenwaldt (BSU) 9-7

Notes
Bemidji State University 4-3; 4-2 NSIC
MSU Moorhead 4-4; 0-1 NSIC
T-3:38
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Beaver extend winning streak to four matches