ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – After seeing potential and growth during a short fall season in 2017, the College of Saint Benedict tennis team is ready to get the spring portion of its 2017-18 schedule under way this weekend.
 
CSB starts its traditional spring season this Saturday, Jan. 27, when it hosts Northwestern (Minn.) at 4:30 p.m. at Sta-Fit in Sartell. Saturday's match kicks off a string of five home matches for CSB, which plays six of its first seven spring matches at Sta-Fit.
 
Saint Benedict went 1-1 in dual meets this fall with a win over UW-Stout and a loss to UW-Eau Claire. The team also brought six individuals to the ITA Regional Tournament – which features some of the best collegiate tennis players from around the region. That marked the first time in several years CSB has had anyone competing in the tournament.
 
First year Kayla McIver picked up three singles wins to lead CSB this fall, and Erin Kolbow, Kylie Miller and Mackenzie Schurhamer all have two. In doubles play, Saint Benedict had five different tandems pick up one win each.
 
Stensrud is the only senior and Miller the only junior on CSB's young roster this season. Stensrud played No. 3 singles this fall. Back to lead CSB this spring is Rahrick, who was named the team MVP after her first season in 2017. She finished with 12 singles wins in 2016-17 and Stensrud led the team with 14.
 
Kolbow, Gabbie Noack and Lauren Clark are also back for their sophomore seasons after seeing plenty of time on the court as first years. Schurhamer and McIver are joined by fellow first year Anna Miller on this year's roster.
 
After hosting Northwestern Saturday, CSB hosts St. Cloud State on Friday, Feb. 2, then starts MIAC play at home against Concordia on Sunday, Feb. 11. The team is slated to travel to California for three matches over spring break, and has a match against Division II Minnesota-Duluth scheduled for March 17.
 
CSB finished 10-13 overall and 3-7 in the MIAC in 2016-17. Ten wins marked the most for the team since the 2013-14 season.