Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's and women's tennis teams certainly got off on the right foot Saturday afternoon, as the Cardinals swept their season and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference openers against Macalester.

The SMU men, fueled by a sweep of the three doubles matches, rolled to a 6-3 victory, while the Cardinal women, who also opened with three straight wins at doubles, dropped the Scots 7-2.

"It was a great first match for both teams," said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. "Sweeping the doubles was great — it got both teams off on the right foot and we just carried that over into the singles play."

Tyler Stevenson (Neenah, Wis.) and Mark Leeder (Greenfield, Wis.) posted an 8-5 triumph at No. 1 doubles, while Bryan Haville (Onalaska, Wis.) and Tony Miller (Rochester, Minn.) were 8-4 winners at No. 2 and Adam Solseth (Shakopee, Minn.) and Andrew Pamperin (Menomonie, Wis.) completed the doubles sweep wtih an 8-6 win at No. 3.

Stevenson also turned in what Halberg called a near-flawless performance in winning at No. 1 singles 6-0, 7-6, while Leeder chipped in a 7-6, 6-2 win at No. 2, followed by a three-set, 6-2, 4-6, 10-8 win by Haville at No. 3.

"The guys played a great match," praised Halberg. "Tyler was unstoppable at No. 1 — that first set was near-perfect. Mark's serving was outstanding — he had more than 15 aces in his match — and Brian played well, too. Plus, our two freshmen (Solseth and Miller) did a nice job for their first collegiate match. Overall, it was a strong start."

Not to be outdone, the women were equally as impressive vs. the Scots.

The doubles teams of Joni Peterson (New London, Minn.)-Ashley Meschke (Pequot Lakes, Minn.), Emily Strom (Waterford, Wis.)-Lisa Thompson (Lake City, Minn.), and Christina Tobin (Oak Park, Ill.)-Jennifer Cochran (Winona, Minn.) were all victorious, while Meschke, Thompson and Tobin were all straight-set singles winners. Liz Hilke (Baraboo, Wis.) completed the SMU win with a three-set, 3-6, 6-2, 10-8 win at No. 5 singles.

"Everyone (on the women's side) played well," said Halberg. "Even the two matches we lost were close, hard-fought matches. They should all be pleased with their performance — I know I am."