Box Score

WINONA, Minn. — The final scores were the same, but that was about all that was similar for the Saint Mary's University tennis teams in their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matches against Hamline.

The SMU women won five of six singles matches, then dropped all three doubles matches in posting a 5-4 win over the Pipers, while the Cardinal men battled back from 2-1 down after the three doubles matches to pull even, 4-4, only to lose a heartbreaker 5-4.

"Due to our court situation, we started with singles (for the women) and they did a fantastic job, winning five of the six matches to lock up the win before the doubles was even played," explained SMU coach Jeff Halberg. "Obviously, it would have been nice to see us pick up a few wins in doubles, but with the match already decided, it's easy to see how there could be a bit of a letdown.

"On the men's side, it was a tough loss," continued Halberg. "We had to battle through a couple of injuries, and I thought the guys did a nice job. We fell behind early (after the doubles), but we came back and held one match point at No. 5 singles — with the match tied 4-4 — but we couldn't quite hold on.

"It was a tough one to lose."

Ashley Meschke (Pequot Lakes, Minn.), Lisa Thompson (Lake City, Minn.) and Liz Hilke (Baraboo, Wis.) all posted straight-set singles wins at Nos. 2-4, while Emily Strom Waterford, Wis.) and Jennifer Cochran (Winona, Minn.) needed three sets to pick up their wins at No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.

On the men's side, Tyler Stevenson (Neenah, Wis.) won in straight sets at No. 1 singles, with Mark Leeder (Greenfield, Wis.) and Tony Miller (Rochester, Minn.) rallying from a set down to post three-set victories at No. 3 and No. 4. Leeder also teamed with Andrew Pamperin (Menomonie, Wis.) for an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles.

"The win was nice for the women — to get off to a 2-0 conference start is a great accomplishment," said Halberg. "I thought the guys showed a lot of fight, and hopefully that type of effort will continue to carry through throughout the year."