Decisive win builds momentum, clears playoff path

This past weekend, the CSB tennis team took on Concordia at Sta-Fit in Sartell.

The Bennies won 8-1 and gained their fifth win of the season and first in MIAC play (5-2, 1-0 MIAC).

The Bennies started the day by sweeping doubles play to take a 3-0 lead into singles play.

First-year Ashley Tarrolly and sophomore Peyton Kopel took the first win of the day with an 8-1 win.

Sophomore Jane Bodensteiner and junior Grace Lee took the next win at 8-3, and junior Maria Bedford and first-year Greta Nesbit finished the sweep with an 8-2 win.

“During the meet, the team was able to come in and start with a ton of energy. Our three doubles teams won as each pair was competitive and cheering the other on. In addition, we were able to bring positiveness through being loud and encouraging each of our teammates,” Bodensteiner said.

The Bennies finished the day by taking five of the six singles matches, including two of the three that went into extra sets.

Tarrolly won at No. 1 singles 6-3, 6-2, and Kopel took No. 2 singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win.

At No. 3 singles Nesbit lost the first set 6-3 but bounced back and took the next set 6-3 and won the third set tiebreaker 10-1 to pick up the win. Bodensteiner swept No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-3, bringing the Bennie lead to 7-0.

Lee won her first set at No. 5 singles but narrowly lost the next two 6-2 and 13-11.

Bedford picked up the final win of the day for the Bennies as she won the first set 6-2, narrowly lost the second at 6-7 and won the third set tiebreaker 10-2.

The Bennies are looking to pile up wins in order to qualify for a spot in the MIAC playoffs this year.

“The CSB tennis team continues to improve every year,” Kopel said. “This year especially, I think we have a great and dangerous team and will be very competitive in the MIAC.”

The St. Ben’s tennis team is coming off a year that saw them go 4-8 overall and 2-7 in MIAC competition to put them in eighth place of 11 teams.

But with St. Thomas leaving the conference and CSB bringing back six of last year’s eight players while adding four first-years, the depth and experience has the Bennies in a good place this year and ready to compete for the MIAC playoffs.

The Bennies are back in action next Saturday (Feb. 26) as they head to Winona to take on St. Mary’s in another MIAC match.