Bennie tennis looks to stay consistent throughout conference season

After a 7-2 victory over St. Olaf College, CSB fell by a narrow 5-4 margin at Macalester College in St. Paul.

The St. Ben’s tennis team (6-6, 4-2 MIAC) will look to carry momentum from the home schedule to Winona, Minn., as the Bennies travel to face St. Mary’s University (9-8, 2-6 MIAC).

Head coach Jack Bowe has been happy with how his team has performed during the conference schedule.

He is also very proud of the seasoned junior and seniors who have been leaders on and off the court.

Despite the many accolades that student athletes have had this year, Bowe believes the team has gelled as a group and had success from a team standpoint.

According to Bowe, the trip to Orlando, Fla., helped the team engage off the court and made it possible for older players to mentor first-years and introduce them to the high level of NCAA Division III tennis in the MIAC.

“We have been very competitive in the MIAC this season. There is not an easy team out there. We are lucky to have such a veteran group of talented players. We are playing great. We lost some close tiebreakers yesterday, but overall [we are] having a good season,” Bowe said.

CSB has also had success from first-years Kate Perbix and Ryanna Steinhaus, sophomores Brooke Beier and Kira Young, junior Greta Nesbit and senior Jane Bodensteiner.

Nesbit earned MIAC Athlete of the Week and St. Cloud Orthopedics Athlete of the Week Honors on April 4 for her play in a 6-3 win over the College of St. Scholastica.

Senior Ashley Tarrolly is 5-4 at No. 1 singles. In doubles, Tarrolly plays the majority of her matches with two-sport athlete Sophia Jonas.

The pair has an overall record of 6-1.

Sophia Jonas has looked up to Tarrolly and attributes this to success on the court.

The pair has won against non-conference opponent Allegheny and conference opponents Hamline, St. Scholastica, Concordia-Moorhead, St. Olaf College and Macalester.

“As a doubles team, we have great chemistry and understand each other’s games well. We are able to win big matches because of our similar competitiveness and enjoyment for the game,” Jonas said.

Tarrolly prepares for matches by communicating with teammates and stays unstressed before matches.

“I prepare for matches a bit differently than people probably expect,” Tarrolly said. “I focus much less on the tennis and more so on my gratitude to be around my teammates and playing a sport I love. Having a good perspective going into every match helps me relieve pressure from myself and play a lot looser. I focus much less on the result these days and just try to battle for every point.”

Tarrolly prides herself on being a leader with senior captains Bodensteiner and Peyton Kopel.

“Our captains have done a wonderful job of lifting the team up and staying positive. Peyton and Jane are like moms of the team. They keep us one cohesive unit and always make sure to reach to every corner of the team,” Tarrolly said.

Kopel said she has enjoyed every moment of her final year as a St. Ben’s tennis player.

“This season has been memorable and exciting. The team has found great chemistry in doubles, and we have won close, competitive matches. Additionally, the beautiful weather this spring has allowed us to practice and compete outdoors. Altogether, [it’s been] a really great season of Bennie tennis so far,” Kopel said.

Kopel believes the high competitive level has really helped the Bennies have success this season. “On the court, we are playing very well outdoors and competing at a high level in doubles. We are also enjoying our time off the court as a team. Good team chemistry off the court translates to success on court, which we are seeing this season,” Kopel said.