The score remained the same. Benton just removed the dramatics during its rematch with Bishop LeBlond.

The Cardinals won Tuesday’s Class 1 regional 5-4 at Noyes Tennis Complex, just as they did during the regular season. But Benton wrapped up the win after just six matches, only to watch LeBlond win the last three after the outcome was decided.

After going 2-1 in doubles matches, junior Ryan Miller clinched Benton’s third singles victory and the dual with a 6-0, 6-3 win against Seth VanVickle at No. 6.

“That wasn’t even on my mind. I was just trying to win,” Miller said.

Benton (9-1) advances to play St. Pius X (13-1) at 9 a.m. Saturday in sectionals back at Noyes with the winner advancing to play in quarterfinals that same day.

The Cardinals — in their first playoff appearance since 1993 — used a turnaround in doubles to overcome LeBlond this time around. In the teams’ previous matchup, Benton won 4 of 6 singles matches to earn the win.

The teams split the singles matches Tuesday, but LeBlond dropped the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches. Benton’s overall depth shone through again and kept the Cardinals on their current nine-dual winning streak.

“This is all about Benton tennis right now,” said Benton’s undefeated No. 1 singles player, Luke Talbot.

“First time in, what, 15 years? Two years ago, we only won two matches all year. This year we’re 9-1. That’s a turnaround. This is the hard work of the whole team — one through six.”

Talbot again did his part, teaming with No. 4 player Brandon Richey for a 6-0, 7-5 victory at No. 1 doubles. Facing the prospect of a second-set tiebreaker against Ryan Walker and Matt Lierz, Talbot took serve in the decisive game.

He ripped three straight demonstrative aces to end the match in two sets.

Talbot then won his singles match 6-2, 6-0 against Walker. The score sat tied 2-2 in the first set before Talbot won the final 10 games to earn his third victory of the year against Walker.

“I just won the big points,” Talbot said. “Ryan’s a great player, and it’s fun to play him. You’ve just got to keep your focus and get your strokes in.”

Singles victories by Talbot, Miller and Richey wrapped up the dual, but coaches opted to let the final three matches finish out. LeBlond claimed each one, including a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win for senior Alex Bridges at No. 2 singles.

Bridges knew his career would end after his match with Tyler Deatherage. But he wanted to finish with a win — even if LeBlond would fail to advance past regionals for the first time since 2004.

“We’re pretty used to going there, but not this year,” said Bridges, who failed to qualify for state after placing sixth in doubles with his older brother, Todd, at last year’s state tournament.

“I’ve had a good four years here, and it’s been a lot of fun.”

Assistant sports editor Ross Martin can be reached at rossmartin@npgco.com