ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Prior to COVID ending the team's season, the College of Saint Benedict tennis team was off to a hot start in 2020.
 
After a pair of wins in the fall and Lily Fredericks advancing to Day 2 of the ITA Midwest Championships – the first CSB tennis player to do so in at least a decade – the Bennies rattled off five wins in the spring before the season was canceled.
 
In 2021, Saint Benedict looks to harness that momentum and energy gained last season and pick up right where it left off. The Bennies open the 2021 season Friday, March 12, when they host MSU-Mankato at 6:30 p.m. at Sta-Fit in Sartell in a nonconference matchup. CSB jumps right into conference play Friday, March 19, when it takes on St. Kate's at Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis.
 
Fredericks – a junior in 2021 – and senior Kayla McIver return as the team's leaders this season. Fredericks finished her sophomore year 8-2 in singles play while McIver went 8-4. Fredericks also finished the season 8-3 in doubles play and McIver was 7-1. Both athletes earned team MVP honors in their first seasons with the team – McIver in 2017-18 and Fredericks in 2018-19.
 
Also back this year is sophomore Anne Bowe, who went undefeated at 8-0 in singles play as a first year in 2020-21. Maria Bedford also finished undefeated in singles play at 6-0 last season, and junior Grace Lee finished 6-2. Bowe and Bedford both went 7-1 in doubles play – Bowe mostly with McIver.
 
Two of the team's most impressive wins last season came against Division II Bemidji State and MIAC rival St. Thomas. The Bennies' 5-2 win over Bemidji State marked the third straight season they have defeated a D2 opponent. The 6-3 win over UST on Feb. 21 marked CSB's first since 2012, and snapped a nine-match losing streak to the Tommies.
 
After taking on Mankato and St. Kate's, CSB is back at home for three matches at Sta-Fit to wrap up March, before a flurry of MIAC matches in April. The team is hoping to get outside on the CSB tennis courts for its April 10 match against Saint Mary's, if not sooner.
 
All schedules are subject to change; stay tuned to www.gobennies.com for updates, as well as the department's Twitter and Facebook pages.