By Leah Rado, Athletic Media Relations Director

Grinnell Results | Luther Results

DECORAH, Iowa – The College of Saint Benedict tennis team started the fall portion of its 2014-15 schedule Saturday afternoon with a pair of matches in Decorah, Iowa.
 
The Blazers, who have one senior, four sophomores and three first years on their roster, lost 9-0 to host-school Luther College and 6-3 in a close match with Grinnell College.
 
First year Ellen Stensrud picked up the first win of her collegiate career when Saint Benedict took on Grinnell College Saturady. She defeated Grinnell's Sydney Banach 7-6 (9-7), 6-1 at the No. 6 singles spot. Sophomore MacKenzie Rixie also picked up a singles win for the Blazers as she defeated Grinnell's Briannah Wilson 6-3, 4-6 (10-5) in the No. 5 singles match.

Senior Ellie Black and sophomore Erin Stocker paired up to win their No. 2 doubles against Shanaz Daneshdoost and Hannah Cooke. Black and Stocker defeated the Grinnell duo 8-6.

Black won her first set against Grinnell's Virginia Purcell in the No. 2 singles spot, 6-2, but Purcell came back to defeat Black 6-3 and 10-1. Stocker picked up a set win at No. 5 singles, but lost 6-1, 5-7, 10-5 to Shanaz Daneshdoost.

The Blazers played several close sets against Luther, but the Norse came back to win each match.
 
Stocker, Taylor Kraemer and Stensrud all took one set against their Luther opponents for St. Ben's. Stocker won the first set 6-2 before losing 6-4, 10-8 to Lauren Welch at No. 3 singles. Kraemer lost the first set 6-0 and won the second 6-4 but lost the third and final set 10-8 against Jenna Myers at No. 5 singles.
 
The Blazers are back in action Saturday, Sept. 13, at the MIAC Individual Fall Tournament in St. Paul, Minn.