Minneapolis – The Saint Benedict tennis team fell 6-3 on the road to St. Thomas Sunday night (Feb. 9), in the MIAC opener for both teams.
 
The Blazers opened with a 2-1 lead after doubles play, but the Tommies rallied to take a 5-1 edge in singles action for the win.
 
Daley Rupar and Ellie Black started the winning for the Blazers, with an 8-6 win at No. 2 doubles. The host Tommies made the Blazers work for each of their two early wins, as Victoria Beach and Erin Stocker were stretched to 8-5 before winning their match at No. 3 doubles.
 
Each of the Blazers' winning doubles combinations moves to 2-0 on the year.
 
In singles play, however, only Laura Finn would come away a winner, scoring a 6-1, 6-3 win at the No. 3 spot, also taking her second win of the young season.
 
In singles action, Black battled for three sets before eventually falling 5-7, 7-6, and 11-9. At the top spot, Rupar was also a tough out, falling by scores of 6-3, 6-4.
 
The Blazers open the home season this weekend, continuing MIAC play when they host Carleton at 4:30 p.m., Feb. 15, at Fitness Evolution in Sartell.
 
Singles
1. Shelby Henderson (UST) def. Daley Rupar (CSB) 6-3, 6-4
2. Bridget Noack (UST) def. Jamie Hoffman (CSB) 6-0, 6-2
3. Laura Finn (CSB) def. Lauren Keller (UST) 6-1, 6-3
4. Kars Lefsrud (UST) def. Victoria Beach (CSB) 6-2, 6-1
5. Paige Becher (UST) def. Ellie Black (CSB) 5-7, 7-6 (3) 11-9
6. Rachel Wright (UST) def. Beth Richmond (CSB) 6-1, 6-3
 
Doubles
1. Noack/Lefsrud (UST) def. Hoffman/Finn (CSB) 8-2
2. Rupar/Black (CSB) def. Henderson/Keller (UST) 8-6
3. Beach/Stocker (CSB) def. Becher/Alexander (UST) 8-5