WINONA, Minn. — Jeff Halberg has said over and over that this year's Saint Mary's University women's tennis team is better than last year.

Unfortunately, after their first three games, their record said differently, as SMU struggled to an 0-3 start.

Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals finally broke through.

Led by the play of No. 1 singles player Nicole Hilo (Mendota Heights, Minn.), the Cardinals picked up their first win of the season — and showed some of the promise Halberg has been talking about — with a 6-3 triumph over Hamline in an MIAC match at the SMU courts.

"We needed this win," said Halberg. "There's no question that this team is much deeper and more talented than last year's team, but when you don't have any wins to show for your efforts, you start second-guessing yourself."

Hilo picked up a key victory for SMU at No. 1 singles, but it certainly wasn't easy, as the Cardinal junior outlasted Becca Richards in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 10-8. Allison Ast (Conway Springs, Kan.), Jennifer Duffy (Chicago, Ill.) and Dena Bing (Cannon Falls, Minn.) also picked up singles wins for SMU, while Hilo and Joni Peterson (New London, Minn.), and Ast-Bing teamed for wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles.

"We played very well — Hamline challenged us at all positions, but we were very mentally tough throughout," Halberg said. "Nicole played a superb match to beat a very good opponent, and that win certainly gave us a big boost.

"This was a great conference victory for us."

And, hopefully, a sign of things to come.

Singles
1. Nicole Hilo (SMU) def. Becca Richards, 7-5, 3-6, 10-8
2. Brooke Boyer (H) def. Joni Peterson, 6-2, 6-1
3. Allison Ast (SMU) def. Leah Mennis, 7-5, 6-3
4. Jennifer Duffy (SMU) def. Tara Wolf, 6-2, 7-5
5. Dena Bing (SMU) def. Lauri Munoz 5-7, 7-5, 10-5
6. Hiliary Wilson (H) def. Beth Carroll (SMU) 2-6, 6-2, 10-5

Doubles
1. Hilo/Peterson (SMU) def Boyer/Mennis, 8-3
2. Ast/Dena Bing (SMU) def. Richards/Wolf, 9-8 (3)
3. Munoz/Wilson (H) def. Duffy/Carroll, 8-6