St. Olaf Women’s Tennis Secures Double Victory in Home Matches
The St. Olaf College women’s tennis team showed off their grit and skill in non-conference play. They grabbed two strong home indoor wins—a 6-1 victory over Wartburg College and a 5-2 win against Northwestern College—on a Saturday at the Tostrud Center.
These wins pushed their streak to three matches and highlighted their strength in both singles and doubles. Senior Alexandra Berns, first-year Dana Keesler, and junior Charlotte Sloane all went undefeated in singles. Berns and her doubles partner Emma Clift kept their perfect record alive.
This blog digs into the details of these matches and spotlights the players and moments that fueled the Oles’ recent run.
St. Olaf’s Dominance in Doubles Matches
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The Oles set the tone early by winning in doubles. Against Wartburg College, they took two out of three doubles matches, putting themselves in a great spot for singles.
Berns and Clift rolled to a 6-2 win at the top spot. Keesler and Elliana Loesch followed up with a 6-3 victory at No. 2 doubles.
Continuing the Momentum Against Northwestern
Later that afternoon, St. Olaf did it again in doubles versus Northwestern College. Berns and Clift barely dropped a game, making it five straight wins for them as a pair.
Sophomores Haley Swanson and Lidia Bach chipped in with a solid win at No. 3 doubles. That kind of depth really matters.
Singles Matches: Showcasing Individual Brilliance
The Oles kept up the pressure in singles, winning most of their matches against both Wartburg and Northwestern. Senior Alexandra Berns stood out, staying undefeated in singles this season.
Berns set the tone with a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 1 singles against Wartburg. That kind of start really fires up a team.
Key Victories Against Wartburg
St. Olaf’s singles lineup handled Wartburg, taking five out of six matches. Some highlights:
- Alexandra Berns at No. 1 singles: 6-1, 6-0
- Dana Keesler at No. 4 singles: 6-2, 6-1
- Emma Clift at No. 2 singles: 7-6 (7-1), 7-5
- Charlotte Sloane at No. 5 singles: 6-3, 6-2
- Norah Brusco at No. 6 singles: 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6)
Sealing the Deal Against Northwestern
Facing Northwestern, the Oles kept rolling in singles. Berns dug deep, coming back from a set down to win 2-6, 7-5, 1-0 (10-4) at No. 1 singles.
Other big wins came from:
- Dana Keesler at No. 3 singles: 6-2, 6-2
- Charlotte Sloane at No. 4 singles: 6-2, 6-2
- Evelyn Smiley at No. 5 singles: 6-1, 6-0
Looking Ahead: MIAC Play
The Oles now turn their attention to Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) play. They’ll take on the College of Saint Benedict on Sunday, March 8, at Sta-Fit in Sartell.
This one feels like a real test as St. Olaf looks to keep the momentum going in conference action.
Key Players to Watch
Several players have really driven the Oles’ success this season. Senior Alexandra Berns keeps impressing, unbeaten in both singles and doubles.
First-year Dana Keesler has stepped up right away, showing a lot of poise. And junior Charlotte Sloane keeps delivering crucial singles wins. Can’t help but wonder who’ll step up next.
Conclusion: A Team on the Rise
The St. Olaf College women’s tennis team showed real potential with strong wins over Wartburg and Northwestern. Their doubles and singles squads both stepped up, and you can see the depth of talent on this roster.
They’re getting ready for some big MIAC matches next. If you’re curious about the details or want to check out the latest updates, swing by the St. Olaf Athletics website.