ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict tennis team enjoyed its time in the sun last week in South Carolina, and returned to the snowy Midwest after solidifying its best start to the season for more than a decade.
CSB went 3-0 on its spring break trip and is currently 6-0 on the season. Eight different players saw court time last week to help the team win a trio of matches 8-1 against nonconference opponents. For its big week on the East Coast, the tennis team is this week’s CSB Team of the Week.
Saint Benedict’s wins over Clarion, Baldwin Wallace and Bridgewater College while in South Carolina marked the team’s first undefeated spring break trip since 2009-10. That year, CSB finished 3-0 in Puerto Rico, and wrapped up the season with a 12-7 overall record.
The team’s 6-0 start to the season is its best start to the season since 2005-06 when it went 11-0 to start the year and ended the season 17-3 overall. CSB started the 2013-14 season 5-0 overall before picking up its first loss of the year.
First year Lily Fredericks and sophomore Mackenzie Schurhamer both went 3-0 in singles play last week, and Schurhamer also went undefeated at No. 3 doubles with partner Karsen Aune. Juniors Tessa Rahrick and Erin Kolbow won all three of their matches at No. 2 doubles to help Saint Benedict in its three wins.
CSB returns to action Friday, March 15, when it takes on Division II St. Cloud State at 5:30 p.m. at Sta-Fit in Sartell. Saint Benedict opens MIAC play Saturday, March 16, at 2:30 p.m. against Concordia in Moorhead, Minn.