ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Led by
Jane Bodensteiner and
Maria Bedford, the College of Saint Benedict (4-2, 2-0) earned its second straight win in MIAC play with a closely-contested 5-4 win over St. Catherine (2-4, 1-3) on Friday night.
Leading the way for the Bennies was senior
Maria Bedford, who moved to 6-0 in singles with a straight set win. CSB also had singles wins from
Greta Nesbit,
Jane Bodensteiner, and
Anne Bowe at No. 3 to No. 5 as all three players improved to 2-0 in league play. CSB also had a win at No. 3 doubles from Bedford and
Jane Bodensteiner, who celebrated her birthday with a pair of wins.
"We had a nice, hard-earned win tonight," said interim head coach Jack Bowe, whose team will now host St. Olaf at 3 p.m., on Saturday, March 18 at Sta-Fit in Sartell, Minn., before hosting Saint Mary's at 3 p.m., on Sunday, March 19. "We battled a really tough opponent (St. Catherine) on the road and came away with an important league win."
Bedford (6-0, 2-0 MIAC) of St. Paul, Minn., who is the reigning MIAC Tennis Player of the Week, won her sixth straight match – all by straight set wins. She defeated Lily Vang, 6-1, 6-0. She and Bodensteiner also moved to 5-1 in doubles play with the 8-6 doubles win over Anna Luksik and Monica Zink of St. Kate's.
At No. 3 singles,
Greta Nesbit (3-3, 2-0) moved to 2-0 in MIAC play with a straight set victory of 6-4, 6-3 over Elsa Joly. At No. 4 singles,
Jane Bodensteiner (5-1, 2-0) celebrated her birthday with the match-deciding win in a straight set 7-5, 6-4 win over Monica Zink. Senior Anna Bowe (2-4, 2-0) won a closely contested match by rallying for a 2-6, 6-1 1-0 (10-8) win that wasn't decided until the final point.
St. Catherine's had wins at both No. 1 and No. 2 singles plus No. 1 and 2 doubles.
At No. 1 singles Kelsey Dorr had a 6-2, 6-4 win over
Ashley Tarrolly of CSB who is now 1-1 overall and 1-1 in league play.
Peyton Kopel (3-3, 1-1 MIAC) dropped a 6-4, 6-2 decision to Sofia Walker at No. 2 singles.
In doubles, St. Kate's had a pair of close wins. Dorr/Walker recorded a close 8-6 win over
Ashley Tarrolly and
Peyton Kopel. Then Elsa Joly and Erica Wing edged past CSB's
Sophia Jonas and
Greta Nesbit, 8-7.