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| St. Catherine | MIAC |
Back in Action: The Saint Benedict tennis team returns from nearly a month break to return to action on Saturday (Mar. 2). After a pair of nonconference matches to open the season back in early February, the unbeaten Blazers now open up MIAC play, hitting the road at conference rival St. Catherine. At 2-0, the Blazers will head to the Baseline Tennis Center to take on a Wildcats team that is also unbeaten, entering at 5-0.
About St. Catherine: The Wildcats enter the weekend with a MIAC best 5-0 record, leading the conference in wins, while their 3-0 tally in league play also has them on the top of the standings. In MIAC play, they have been impressive, scoring dominating wins over Hamline (9-0) and Bethel (7-2). However, they have also showed the ability to close out the close ones with a 5-4 win over defending champion Carleton just last weekend, handing the Knights their first loss in conference play in over a year. Reigning MIAC Player of the Week, Victoria Bravo leads the way with a perfect 5-0 mark at No. 1 singles, while Maria Koval is equally as dominant with a 5-0 mark at No. 3 singles. An early favorite for surprise team of the year, last season the Wildcats were just 5-5 in conference play, finishing in sixth place, and were picked to finish fifth this season.
Last Meeting: In late April last season, the Blazers scored a 5-4 victory over the Wildcats, getting wins from No. 1 and 3 doubles, and No. 1, 5 and 6 singles. At the top of the line-up Aly Brandel went the distance, taking the win with a marathon 12-10 victory in the deciding third set. The win snapped the Blazers out of a two-match losing skid, and was the first of two straight victories to close out the season as the Blazers rose to third in the final standings.
Storyline: Which team can continue its impressive start to the season? For the Blazers, it means carrying on their perfect 2-0 record that has been built on a pair of 9-0 sweeps over NCAA Division II competition. The Blazers have yet to drop and individual match this season, but the Wildcats may just be the best team they've seen this year. For St. Kate's it will mean building on their surprising 5-0 start, and avoiding a letdown after such an impressive win over Carleton last Sunday.
Who to Watch: On a team where all six starters are 2-0, you could take your pick on who to watch. But setting the tone at the top of the line-up have been
Jamie Hoffman at No. 1 singles and
Daley Rupar at No. 2. Together they are also 2-0 at No. 1 doubles, including an 8-0 shutout in their last match. Rupar won 6-2, 6-1 in the season opener, while Hoffman scored a 6-0, 6-1 win in their last match.
Last Time Out: Last taking the court on Feb. 7, the Blazers swept through MSU Moorhead on their way to a 9-0 win. In a dominating effort, the Blazers got an 8-0 shutout at No. 1 doubles, before adding three 6-0 sets throughout the line-up in singles action. Six other sets on the day, were won by either 6-1 or 6-2 scores.
Up Next: The Blazers are now off until next weekend, when they return home for a pair of matches. In continuing MIAC play, they host Bethel at 4:30 p.m., Mar. 8, and Macalester at 1 p.m., Mar. 9. Each match will be played at Fitness Evolution in Sartell.
