WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University women's tennis team has enjoyed is share of victories this season, but none has been sweeter than the Cardinals' 7-2 nonconference win over UW-River Falls Wednesday afternoon.

Not only did it allow the Cardinals to close out the regular season with a victory, but it also pushed their overall record to 10-10 — and that's where the significance comes in.

Fueled by a sweep of Wednesday's three doubles matches, the Cardinals became the first women's tennis team in school history to win 10 matches in a season.

"This was a great way to cap off the regular season," said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. "To win your (regular-season) finale to finish with the most wins in school history is pretty special. This has been a spirited and resilient group all season, and it has been a pleasure to work with all of them."

The Cardinals' doubles teams of Ashley Meschke (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) and Emily Strom (Waterford, Wis.), Liz Hilke (Baraboo, Wis.) and Jennifer Cochran (Winona, Minn.), and Christina Tobin (Oak Park, Ill.) and Annie Harala (Duluth, Minn.) got SMU off on the right foot with relatively easy victories.

Meschke, Strom and Cochran chipped in straight-set singles wins, while Lisa Thompson (Lake City, Minn.) tallied a 6-3, 1-6, 10-7 three-set at No. 3. Tobin also went the distance at No. 2 singles, only to fall in a marathon, 3-6, 6-1, 13-11.

"We've still got a little work ahead of us," warned Halberg, whose team travels to Northfield, Minn., for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament this Friday and Saturday. "Hopefully we can keep it up for a couple more days."

Singles
1. Ashley Meschke (SMU) def. Meghan Knoblock, 6-1, 6-1
2. Leah Baron (UWRF) def. Christina Tobin, 3-6, 6-1, 13-11
3. Lisa Thompson (SMU) def. Amber Weisinger 6-3, 1-6, 10-7
4. Becky Briese (UWRF) def. Liz Hilke, 6-2, 6-0
5. Emily Strom (SMU) def. Sarah Vandenhoek, 6-3, 6-0
6. Jennifer Cochran (SMU) def. Maite Oyarbide, 6-2 ,6-4

Doubles
1. Mescke/Strom (SMU def. Knoblock/Baron, 8-3
2. Hilke/Cochran (SMU) def. Briese/Vandenhoek, 8-4
3. Tobin/Annie Harala (SMU) def. Weisinger/Emily Mauren, 8-6