AUSTIN, Texas -- Maria Bedford of the College of Saint Benedict tennis has been named to the third team on the inaugural 2022-23 Academic All- America® women's tennis teams selected by the College Sports Communicators and announced today. 

 

Bedford, who earlier was named the MIAC Elite 22 Award recipient for tennis, is the third ever CSC Academic All-American at Saint Ben's, joining Marcy Erickson (1987-88, 1988-89) and Jean Sklucacek (1988-89). Previously women's tennis was part of the at-large group. Bedford is the only honoree named from the MIAC.

Bedford is one of seven student-athletes to boast a 4.0 GPA in their undergraduate work. She is also one of the 18 members of the three Academic All-America® Division III women's tennis teams. The Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structure to assist the College Sports Communicators with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2022-23 Division III Academic All-America® program.

"We are really proud of Maria," said CSB head tennis coach Jack Bowe. "She has been a tremendous leader who has had a special year. Maria is truly a selfless person and teammate who is dedicated to her studies while achieving at a high level in competition. We look forward to seeing what she will accomplish and the impact she will make in the future," he said.

Bedford, a senior computer science major from St. Paul, Minn., is the first-ever CSB tennis student-athlete to earn the MIAC Elite 22 honor in addition to being the third Academic All-American.  

A two-time Academic All-MIAC honoree, Bedford was recently named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. The 2023 Academic All-District® Women's Tennis Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.

She recently completed a special senior campaign when she was selected All-MIAC Honorable Mention and to the All-MIAC Playoff Team. In 2022-23, she was 14-3, including 7-3 in conference play in singles.

Twice in 2023, Bedford was named All-MIAC Player of the Week twice (March 13, April 10), becoming the 10^th CSB tennis player honored by the league and just the second (Mackenzie Schurhamer, 2018) to get the weekly conference honor twice. She set a school record by opening the season with 12 straight wins.

In her career, she had a 27-11 record in singles. In doubles play this year, she was 13-3, including 7-2 in the MIAC. She was 12-3 when paired with Jane Bodensteiner in doubles. In Bedford's career in doubles at CSB, she had a 38-14 mark.