Tennis ranked 7th in NSIC Preseason Poll ahead of season opener this weekend
The Bemidji State University tennis team will begin its 2022 season in Grand Forks, N.D. this weekend. The Beavers, who recorded four wins and eight losses in 2021, look to find their place amongst NSIC standings this season.
The Beavers, who held a 4-8 record in 2021, were selected for the seventh-place spot in the NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. They tied for seventh with the University of Sioux Falls at 60 points. Topping the standings is current conference champion Augustana University followed by Winona State University and University of Mary in the second- and third-place spots, respectively. Southwest Minnesota State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, and Minnesota State University Moorhead take the fourth through sixth-place positions. Following BSU and USF, Upper Iowa University and University of Minnesota Duluth round out ninth- and tenth- place spots, respectively. Closing out the conference standings are St. Cloud State University in 11th and University of Minnesota Crookston in 12th.
Head Coach, Kyle Fodness, says he is “very excited about the energy that this team can bring to the courts.” He cites that their chemistry all around has the ability to be a strength for the team and that they look forward to representing Bemidji State this season.
In 2021, the Beavers earned two sweeps during their four wins, the first to open the season at home against University of Minnesota Crookston and the second versus Minnesota State University Mankato. This season, the team comes into play after two fall, non-conference shutouts over University of Wisconsin- River Falls and Concordia College.
This weekend’s matches will open 2022 play for the Beavers. The Beavers will head to Grand Forks, N.D. to play in their first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference matches against St. Cloud State University and University of Minnesota Duluth. Previously, the Beavers lost 4-3 to the Bulldogs on Mar. 27 in Duluth. The following day, the Beavers found the win column with a 6-1 win over the Huskies.
BSU brings back most of their 2021 team this season including Sophomores Sophie Groen, Isabela Nelson and Shaelyn Johnson. Groen and Johnson dominated doubles play and were named to the All-NSIC First Team last season. Also, back for the Beavers are senior Laney Rutkowski and junior Taylor Offerdahl, rounding out the upperclassmen lineups. Groen, a Uigeest, Netherlands native, was named Bemidji State’s NSIC Preseason Athlete to Watch for the 2022 season. She was the second winningest Beaver during the 2021 season, marking six wins in 11 matches and was named to the 2021 All-NSIC Second Team for her singles play.