Thresher Athletics Hall of Fame
The 1996-97 Bethel College Thresher women's tennis team ranks among the all-time best at Bethel and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC). The Thresher women were ranked 19th in the NAIA fall ratings, the first-ever NAIA national rankings earned by women from the KCAC in the fall. The Threshers' undefeated fall season was highlighted by a 5-4 victory over NCAA DII Washburn University, a first-place finish in the Bethel Invitational, and their fifth consecutive KCAC championship.
En route to a fourth consecutive national qualification, Bethel turned in some strong performances during the spring season and extended their KCAC dual winning streak of 42. Bethel compiled an overall dual record of 16-2. At the KCAC National Qualifier Tournament in May, the Threshers produced their most dominant conference tournament result in years by winning 15 of 18 matches. The Bethel women made finals in all nine flights, winning number two through six singles and number two doubles. The 1996-97 year concluded in Tulsa with the NAIA national championships. All six members of the team were victorious, a first for a Thresher team at nationals, as they swept their first round of doubles matches. The Threshers ended their season with a 26th-place finish at nationals.
