SARTELL, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict tennis team fought through third sets and tight matches, but ended up just short against Macalester Saturday afternoon.
 
CSB wrapped up the 2018-19 season with a 5-4 loss to the Scots at Sta-Fit in Sartell. Saint Benedict – which started the year 8-0 – ends the season 9-8 overall and 2-8 and ninth in the MIAC.
 
"Every MIAC match has been so close this year, and (Saturday) was no exception," head coach Michael Engdahl said. "Macalester came out really strong in doubles, and that was the difference in the match.
 
"Overall, it was a great year for us. We didn't finish nearly as high as we could have, but we battled in every match. The MIAC is one of the best conferences around, and we proved we belong. We will definitely be a team to deal with in the future."
 
Macalester (8-9, 3-7) came out strong and won all three doubles matches. Kayla McIver and Lily Fredericks fell 8-3 at No. 1 doubles, Tessa Rahrick and Mackenzie Schurhamer lost 8-4 at No. 2 doubles and Lauren Clark and Erin Kolbow fell 8-2 at No. 3 doubles.
 
CSB battled to win three matches in three sets, but the Scots picked up all the wins they would need right away at No. 4 and 5 singles. Schurhamer fell 6-4, 6-3 at No. 4 singles and Kolbow lost 7-6, 6-0 at No. 5.
 
Saint Benedict fought back to win the final four singles matches of the day to wrap up the match on a high note. Fredericks won 6-4, 6-3 at No. 3 singles, and Rahrick, McIver and Aune all came through to win three-set matches. Rahrick dropped her first set 6-3, but came back to win 6-3, 10-7 at No. 1 singles. McIver won her first set 6-4, lost the second 6-2 and won the third set 10-7 at No. 2 singles, and Aune won 2-6, 6-4, 10-6.
 
With no seniors on the 2018-19 roster, CSB returns plenty of talent next season and looks to move up in the conference standings.