ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – The College of Saint Benedict tennis team (2-4, 1-1 MIAC) returns to conference play this weekend with a pair of home matches, hosting Gustavus Adolphus (13-5, 1-0 MIAC) at 4 p.m., on Saturday, March 28, before welcoming Concordia (6-7, 2-1 MIAC) at 11 a.m., on Sunday.

Weekend Matchups
The Bennies have entered the heart of their MIAC schedule, which features nine total matches – eight against conference opponents – leading up to the MIAC Championships, set for April 28 through May 2. Following this weekend, Saint Benedict will step out of conference play to host Northwestern-St. Paul on April 11 before traveling to face Saint Mary's on April 12 in Winona, Minn.

By the Numbers – CSB Tennis
Under the direction of veteran head coach Jack Bowe, Saint Benedict has compiled a 2-4 record in singles play this season. Sophomore Lila Collins (Brainerd, Minn.) paces the lineup with a 3-3 mark at No. 4 singles. Ellie Huber (Sioux Falls, S.D.), Ella Marohl (St. Cloud, Minn.) and Allyson Yahn (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) each hold 2-4 records, while junior Marie Labenski (Northfield, Minn.) and first-year Kaitlyn Rahne (Hutchinson, Minn.) are 1-5.

In doubles action, the Bennies are also 2-4 overall. The pairings of Claire Erdal (Brainerd, Minn.) and Collins, along with Huber and Labenski, have each posted 1-1 marks in MIAC play.

Season Recap
Saint Benedict opened the season on February 15 with a 5-2 MIAC loss to Hamline. In that match, Huber impressed in her collegiate debut with a comeback victory at No. 1 singles, rallying for a 0-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-4) win over Vanessa Pham. Collins added the Bennies' other point with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 decision at No. 4 singles.

The Bennies responded the following day with a 5-2 conference win over St. Olaf, powered by a dominant singles performance. After dropping two of three doubles matches, Saint Benedict surged by winning five of six singles contests. Marohl, Yahn, Collins, Labenski and Rahne each recorded victories, with Rahne earning her first collegiate win at No. 6 singles.

Last Time Out
Saint Benedict wrapped up its spring break trip in Orlando, Fla., with a 7-0 setback to Franklin & Marshall. The Diplomats swept doubles play to claim the opening point and went on to win all six singles matches in straight sets. Huber, Marohl, Yahn, Collins, Labenski and Rahne (Hutchinson, Minn.) all competed in singles action for the Bennies.  

Saint Benedict claimed the doubles point and added four singles victories to earn a 5-2 win over Edgewood during spring. The No. 2 doubles team of Allyson Yahn and Ella Marohl secured a 7-5 victory, while Lila Collins and Claire Erdal posted a 6-2 win at No. 3. The No. 1 pair of Ellie Huber and Marie Labenski fell, 6-2. In singles play, Marohl rallied for a 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-2) win at No. 2, and Yahn followed with a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 3. Collins earned her third win of the season with a 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-1) decision at No. 4, while Kaitlyn Rahne added a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 6. Huber was defeated 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1, and Labenski dropped a tight match at No. 5, 6-1, 1-6, 0-1 (8-10).

Also on spring break, CSB dropped a 7-0 decision to UW-Lacrosse. At No. 1 singles, Shelby Roth defeated Huber 6-0, 6-2, while Caitlyn Stadter earned a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2. Lauren Lindow posted a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 3, and Lily Jorgensen added a 6-0, 6-1 win at No. 4. Hannah Cady recorded a 6-0, 6-0 victory at No. 5, and Izabelle Brinkman completed the sweep with a 6-2, 6-3 win at No. 6. In doubles, Roth and Tasha Bailey won 6-2 at No. 1, Cady and Jorgensen earned a 6-0 victory at No. 2, and Stadter and Maia Samuelson posted a 6-2 win at No. 3.