ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict tennis team begins a new season this weekend when it travels to Eau Claire, Wis., for matches against the University of Wisconsin-Stout and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The matches are scheduled for noon and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.
 
Stout is 1-0 so far in 2017 with a win over Lawrence. Eau Claire is 1-0 with a win over Oshkosh. Last year, CSB was defeated 9-0 by Eau Claire, and beat Stout 6-3.
 
CSB is a young squad this year with three first years on its roster, but Saint Benedict also returns experience from last season. Senior Ellen Stensurd returns after a singles record of 14-9, and Sophomore Tessa Rahrick returns after a record of 12-9 last year. Rahrick was named the team's MVP following her first season with the team.
 
Sophomore Erin Kolbow is also back after picking up eight singles wins and seven doubles wins as a first year, and Lauren Clark and Gabbie Noack also tallied nine doubles wins last season.
 
Saint Benedict finished the year 10-13 overall – the most wins for the program since 2013-14 – and finished 3-7 in conference play. At one point in the season, CSB won six of seven matches in a row, including a win against Division II Minnesota-Crookston. The team dropped a tight match, 5-4, to Division II Bemidji State in that same stretch.
 
After this weekend's matches in Eau Claire, CSB is on the road again Sept. 16, when it plays in the MIAC opener in Minneapolis. CSB then plays in the ITA Regionals on Sept. 22 in St. Peter. CSB finishes out the fall season against St. Cloud State University on Sept. 30 in St. Joseph.