ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict tennis team hasn't played a match since March 30 – but the team is about to make up for that in a big way.
 
After nearly three straight weeks without a match, CSB is on the road this Thursday through Monday, April 19-23, for five straight road matches. Due to the latest round of winter snow and cold temperatures, three of those five matches are currently slated to be indoors in either Minneapolis or Lakeville.
 
The team starts its five-day stretch of matches Thursday, April 19, when it takes on Hamline at 7:30 p.m. at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis. CSB is back at Baseline Friday for a 6:30 p.m. match against Bethel, and then is slated to play its first outdoor matches in Minnesota of 2018. Saint Benedict takes on Macalester at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21, in St. Paul, then heads to Winona for a noon match Sunday at Saint Mary's. Later that night, CSB heads to Bloomington for a makeup match against Carleton at 7 p.m. at Bloomington South High School.
 
"We are so excited to finally get back on the court," head coach Michael Engdahl said. "It is going to be a long weekend both physically and mentally, but it is something we have talked about all season long. The biggest challenge for us is going to be staying consistent and not letting one match or one point affect the entire weekend. This is a big weekend for the goals we want to accomplish, so we are going to do everything we can to stay positive and fight for every point."
 
The last time CSB took the courts on March 30 against Gustavus, it fell 9-0 to the Gusties in St. Peter. Saint Benedict – which went 8-1 to start the spring portion of its season – is 1-3 in its last four matches, and looks to get back on the winning track as it jumps headfirst into the heart of its MIAC season.
 
CSB is currently 10-5 overall and 1-2 in the MIAC with its lone conference win coming against Concordia. As of Wednesday, April 18, Saint Benedict's three conference matches played is the least in the league. A handful of teams have only played five MIAC matches, but five others have played six or more.
 
After five straight days of matches, CSB is scheduled to host St. Kate's on April 27 – its only outdoor home match of the 2018 season – and then wraps up the regular season at St. Olaf on April 28. The MIAC Tournament starts Tuesday, May 1, with the semifinal and championship matches to be played on May 3 and May 5. The top six teams make the tournament.