SARTELL, Minn. – Ashley Tarrolly recorded her seventh straight win and Maria Bedford registered the winning point as the College of Saint Benedict tennis team (9-6, 6-3 MIAC), recorded a hard-fought 5-4 win over Bethel (15-4, 7-3 MIAC) on Saturday, April 22 at Sta-Fit.

CSB recorded wins in two of three doubles matches and three of the six singles matches to defeat Bethel and guarantee a winning record in the MIAC and a berth in the postseason tourney. In CSB Head Coach Jack Bowe's return to CSB, the Bennies have recorded their first winning season in league play since going 6-4 in 2013-14.

CSB improved to 9-6 overall and now has nine wins or more in five of the past nine seasons. The Bennies will be in the MIAC Tournament again as they have clinched one of the top six spots. CSB will either finish No. 5 or No. 6 seed, depending on CSB's results in its regular season finale at Carleton College at noon on Sunday.

"This was a big win and really is a credit to the work and effort on this team," said Bowe. "Maria (Bedford) came up with a win a tiebreaker to clinch it, but we had strong performances across the board. Ashley had a strong performance at No. 1 and Greta came up big at No. 3 while No. 2 and No. 3 doubles played well," added Bowe, whose team halted a three-game slide.

In moving to 8-2 overall and 6-2 in the MIAC, Tarrolly won her seventh straight match at No. 1 singles. Tarrolly, who is regionally ranked in NCAA DIII, took a 6-4, 6-0 win over Lauryn Douglas of Bethel.

CSB also had a win at No.3 singles by Greta Nesbit, who prevailed over Elise Bierbaum, 6-1, 6-2. Nesbit ended a two-match losing streak as she improved to 9-6 overall and 7-2 in the MIAC.

With the match tied 4-4, senior Maria Bedford came up big at No. 6 singles. In recording her 13^th win in 15 decisions, Bedford defeated Bryna Eigenfeld, 4-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-4) in a tiebreaker. It has been a special season for Bedford, who twice has earned MIAC Athlete of the Week honors, and set a program mark with 12 straight wins to open the season. She is now 8-2 in MIAC play.

At the other singles spots, Bethel won at No. 2 singles as Julia Baber took a 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) win over Peyton Kopel, who is 7-8 overall and 4-5 in MIAC play.

Jane Bodensteiner fell to Emma Thole, 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4 singles. Bodensteiner is 10-4 overall and 6-3 in MIAC play.

At No. 5 singles, sophomore Sophia Jonas is 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the MIAC after dropping a closely contest match. Rylee Schurman recorded a 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7) in winning a tiebreaker.

In doubles play, CSB won two of three matches. At No. 1 doubles match, Tarrolly/Kopel was defeated by by Baber/Douglas, 8-7 (7-5) in a closely contest matchup. Tarrolly/Kopel now stand 6-4 overall and 4-4 in MIAC Play.

At No. 2 doubles, CSB bounced back as Anne Bowe and Sophia Jonas won a battle with Thole/Schurman, 8-7 (7-5). Bowe/Jonas stand 3-4 overall and 2-3 in MIAC play.

At No. 3 doubles, Bodensteiner/Bedford moved to 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the MIAC as had an 8-5 win over Bierbaum/Eigenfeld.