NORTHFIELD, Minn. – With a 9-0 victory over visiting College of Saint Benedict, the No. 27-ranked Carleton College women’s tennis team secured at least a share of its eighth MIAC regular-season title and its fifth crown over the last eight seasons.

On Thursday, the Knights jumped eight spots in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) national rankings, climbing from No. 35 to their current position. A day later, Carleton (15-2, 9-0 MIAC) clinched the top seed in the upcoming MIAC Playoffs with a decisive victory.

One week after needing to rally from a 3-0 deficit after doubles against Gustavus Adolphus, the Knights took care of business quickly against the Bennies (9-7, 2-7 MIAC) by sweeping the three doubles matches.

The tandem of Faith Yim (So./Orange, Calif./Villa Park) and Jeanny Zhang (Fy./Guangzhou, China/Dwight School) won 8-1 at the second slot, while the duo of Sonya Romanenko (Fy./San Diego, Calif./Rancho Bernardo) and Elizabeth Yim (So./Orange, Calif./Villa Park) prevailed by the same score at third doubles

The nationally-ranked pairing of Kristina Conrad (Sr./Plymouth, Minn./Robbinsdale Armstrong) and Madeline Prins (Jr./Pacific Palisades, Calif./Palisades Charter) completed the doubles sweep with their 8-5 victory.

Upon moving to singles, the Knights made quick work of St. Ben’s, winning all six matches in straight sets In the process, Carleton dropped no more than four games in any match.

Romanenko pushed her win streak to 14 matches with a 6-3, 6-0 result atop the lineup. Zhang, who now sits at No. 18 in the region, breezed to a 6-0, 6-2 triumph and improved to 14-1 for her rookie season.

Conrad stayed unbeaten in conference play with her 6-3, 6-1 win, while Prins tied Romanenko for most dual match wins on the Knights this season (15) with her 6-1, 6-1 result at the fourth slot.

Taylor Thulson (Fy./Louisville, Colo./Niwot) notched a 6-2, 6-0 victory at fifth singles, and Faith Yim won her seventh straight by a 6-0, 6-1 tally.

UP NEXT FOR THE KNIGHTS
Carleton has a chance to win the outright MIAC title in the regular-season finale, but the Knights have to contend with regionally-ranked University of St. Thomas. The match is currently slated for 2:00 p.m. but could see a location and/or time change due to weather.

Carleton College 9, College of Saint Benedict 0
Singles competition
1. #8 Sonya Romanenko (CAR) def. Tessa Rahrick (CSB) 6-3, 6-0
2. #18 Jeanny Zhang (CAR) def. Kayla McIver (CSB) 6-0, 6-2
3. Kristina Conrad (CAR) def. Lily Fredericks (CSB) 6-3, 6-1
4. Madeline Prins (CAR) def. Mackenzie Schurhamer (CSB) 6-1, 6-1
5. Taylor Thulson (CAR) def. Karsen Aune (CSB) 6-2, 6-0
6. Faith Yim (CAR) def. Gabbie Noack (CSB) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. #7 Madeline Prins/Kristina Conrad (CAR) def. Tessa Rahrick/Lily Fredericks (CSB) 8-5
2. Faith Yim/Jeanny Zhang (CAR) def. Kayla McIver/Karsen Aune (CSB) 8-1
3. Sonya Romanenko/Elizabeth Yim (CAR) def. Mackenzie Schurhamer/Lauren Clark (CSB) 8-1