ST. PAUL, Minn. – Despite strong singles performances from Marie Labenski, Lila Collins, and Allyson Yahn, the College of Saint Benedict tennis team came up just short in a 6-3 road loss to Hamline University on Wednesday, April 9, at Holt Courts.

With the loss, the Bennies fall to 5-7 overall and 2-4 in MIAC play. Hamline improves to 9-5 overall and 2-3 in conference competition.

CSB captured three of six singles matches, including two dramatic tiebreaker wins, but was swept in doubles, which proved to be the difference in the closely contested matchup.

First-year Allyson Yahn delivered a gritty victory at No. 3 singles, defeating Elanna Kohner in a three-set battle, 6-1, 4-6, 1-0 (10-4). Yahn is now 6-6 overall and 3-3 in MIAC play. At No. 6 singles, sophomore Lila Collins continued her strong season with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over Emily Dreger, improving to 7-4 overall and 4-2 in the conference.

Marie Labenski extended her singles win streak to four matches with a clutch victory at No. 5 singles, edging Chloe Reyes in a thriller, 7-6 (10-8), 5-7, 1-0 (10-5). Labenski is now a perfect 4-0 in her last four outings.

Other singles matches went down to the wire. At No. 2 singles, Ella Marohl pushed her match to a third-set tiebreaker but ultimately fell 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 0-1 (5-10). At No. 4, Ryanna Steinhaus lost a tightly contested match to Christine Muller, 5-7, 6-2, 0-1 (3-10). Sophia Jonas, playing at the top singles spot, fell 6-4, 6-3 to Hamline's Vanessa Pham.

In doubles play, the Bennies struggled to gain momentum. Jonas and Kate Perbix were defeated 8-3 at No. 1 by Pham and Cora Anderson. Yahn and  Steinhaus fell, 8-3, at No. 2 to Kohner and Muller. At No. 3 doubles, Marohl and Collins dropped a narrow 8-6 decision to Dreger and Reyes.

Up next, CSB returns home to face Saint Mary's University at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 12 in Collegeville, before traveling to take on Gustavus Adolphus in St. Peter at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 13.