SARTELL, Minn. – With a sweep in singles, including a career-first victory from
Hannah Helms and an eighth straight win by
Maria Bedford, the College of Saint Benedict (5-3, 3-1 MIAC) rolled past Saint Mary's (5-7, 0-5 MIAC), 8-1, in MIAC play on Sunday afternoon (March 19) at Sta-Fit.
With the victory, CSB has won three of four matches in MIAC play and sixth place in the league. In addition, the Bennies now stand 5-3 overall. Today against Saint Mary's, the Bennies won at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles and had a sweep of the six singles matches.
"It was a great day for our team as we had the chance to play a lot of people today and through the weekend," said interim head coach Jack Bowe. "It was really a good way to end the weekend with two wins in three matches. I was really pleased with our effort and focus," added Bowe, whose team will host a third straight home match when Northwestern (Minn.) faces CSB on Tuesday (March 21) at Sta-Fit in Sartell, Minn.
Leading the way again for the Bennies was senior
Maria Bedford, who continued her undefeated play this season. With a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kara Head at No. 5 singles, Bedford recorded her eighth straight set victory. She remained unbeaten at 8-0 overall with a 4-0 mark in MIAC play. She is also 5-0 at No. 5 this season.
CSB also picked up a win at No. 4 singles from junior
Jane Bodensteiner, who recorded her third straight singles victory. She moved her record to 7-1 on the season with a 4-0 MIAC mark. She defeated Ella Boomgaarden, 6-2, 6-1 and is now 5-0 at No. 4 singles.
At No. 3 singles, sophomore
Greta Nesbit improved to 5-3 overall and 4-0 in MIAC play as she had a win in a tiebreaker over Emily Henderson, 1-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-6) with a third straight win.
At No. 1 singles, sophomore
Ashley Tarrolly had a straight set 6-2, 6-0 decision against Zoie Becker and is now 2-2 this season with a 2-2 mark in conference play.
Junior
Peyton Kopel evened her season record at 4-4, including 2-2 in conference play with the 6-3, 6-4 victory over Maddie Dosser of the Cardinals at No. 2 singles.
Also in singles, first-year
Hannah Helms of Kerkhoven, Minn., registered her first-ever win at Saint Ben's with a straight set 6-1, 6-1 decision against Kathryn Stiegel at No. 6. As a result, Helms is now 1-0 overall and 1-0 in MIAC competition.
CSB's No. 1 doubles team of Tarrolly/Kopel rolled to an 8-2 decision over Dosser/Henderson. With the win, Tarrolly/Kopel improved to 2-2 overall and 2-2 in MIAC play.
First-year players
Kira Young and
Brooke Beier teamed up for the first time and recorded an 8-7 (7-4) victory by tiebreaker at No. 3 doubles. Young, who won her second doubles match of the season, and Beier, who earned her first career doubles win, now sit 1-0 overall and 1-0 in MIAC play.
St. Mary's lone point was a result of a win at No. 2 doubles by Becker/Boomgaarden, who edged
Sophia Jonas and
Anne Bowe, 8-4.
