BEMIDJI, Minn. (Gillett Recreation and Fitness Center) -- The Bemidji State University tennis team dropped a 5-4 decision to the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on senior day at the Gillett Recreation and Fitness Center in Bemidji, Minn. Wednesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead out of the doubles matches, and would fight off a late Beaver charge to claim the match by a 5-4 margin but not before the Beavers worked for a 4-2 lead in singles play. BSU falls to 4-11 overall and 4-6 in NSIC play while the Bulldogs are now 8-9 overall and 6-3 in the conference.

Seniors Kali Welu (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) and Amy Erickson (Sr., Roseau, Minn.) led BSU as they both earned straight set victories in the last match of their careers at the Gillett Recreation and Fitness Center. Welu earned a point at No. 1 singles by defeating UMD’s Rose Philppen (6-1, 6-4) while Erickson made quick work of McCall Ashton at No. 6 singles in straight sets (6-1, 6-1).

Bemidji State also earned wins at No. 2 and No. 3 singles positions, respectively. Nicole Christiansen (Fr., Bemidji, Minn.) won her match over Carrie Dahlman in straight sets (6-1, 6-3), while Farrah Steinke (So., Crosby, Minn.) swept Steph Keller in straight sets (6-4, 6-3) to earn a point at No. 3 singles.

The third senior on this years Beaver squad, Julie Kapsner (Pierz, Minn.) ended up dropping her final home match of her career in a hard fought battle with UMD’s Kelly Rosengren at No. 5 singles (6-2, 6-4).

The Beavers will wrap up Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference action this weekend with a duel versus Southwest Minnesota State University on Saturday, Apr. 11 at 1 p.m. in Marshall, Minn.

Minnesota Duluth 5, Bemidji State University 4
Apr. 8, 2009 at Bemidji, Minn.
Singles Competition
1. Kali Welu (BSU) def. Rose Philppen (UMD) 6-1, 6-4
2. Nicole Christiansen (BSU) def. Carrie Dahlman (UMD) 6-1, 6-3
3. Farrah Steinke (BSU) def. Steph Keller (UMD) 6-4, 6-3
4. Katie Bolf (UMD) def. Kelli Christiansen (BSU) 6-1, 6-1
5. Kelly Rosengren (UMD) def. Julie Kapsner (BSU) 6-2, 6-4
6. Amy Erickson (BSU) def. McCall Ashton (UMD) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles Competition
1. Rose Philppen/Katie Bolf (UMD) def. Kali Welu/Kelli Christiansen (BSU) 8-6
2. Steph Keller/Carrie Dahlman (UMD) def. Farrah Steinke/Cheyanne Maki (BSU) 8-5
3. Kelly Rosengren/McCall Ashton (UMD) def. Kara Johnson/Miranda Milless (BSU) 8-4

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