Box Score

WINONA, Minn. — Jeff Halberg knew that Saturday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match against St. Olaf was going to be a real dogfight.

And the Oles didn't disappoint.

St. Olaf collected straight-set wins in four of the five singles matches it won and added a pair of doubles figures, as the Oles handed SMU its second straight conference loss, 7-2 Saturday afternoon at the SMU Tennis Center.

"St. Olaf is a very solid, very deep team," said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. "Their top four players are all tough, experienced players — and they made it tough on us."

Ashley Meschke (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) picked up the Cardinals' lone singles win, needing three sets to defeat Beth Erie, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8. Jennifer Cochran (Winona, Minn.) also battled through a three-set singles match, but the SMU senior wasn't able to come up with the same result, as she lost 4-6, 6-4, 10-4 at No. 6.

Cochran earned a bit of redemption in doubles play, as she teamed with Becky Newby (Brookfield, Wis.) for an 8-6 win at No. 3.

"I was proud of the way the ladies battled — they put up a great fight," said Halberg. "Hopefully, we'll get another shot at them in the conference tournament."