Box Score

WINONA, Minn. — Since opening their season with a 9-0 victory over Southwest State on Feb. 4, the Saint Mary's University women's tennis team was only able to win three individual matches combined in falling to St. Thomas, St. Olaf and Carleton.

The Cardinals equaled that total on Wednesday against St. Catherine, as Ann Leeder (Greenfield, Wis.) and Angle Beissel (Hastings, Minn.) posted singles wins and Leeder and Aubrey Hirsch (Topeka, Kan.) teamed for an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles.

Unfortunately, it was the Wildcats who swept through the other four singles matches and the remaining two doubles matches, as St. Catherine handed SMU its fourth straight setback, 6-3 at the SMU Tennis Center.

"Considering that St. Catherine entered the season ranked No. 24 nationally, I was very pleased with our performance," said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. "Overall, I thought we played some solid tennis against a very good and experienced team. (St. Catherine's) top three singles players are all seniors who have qualified for nationals before, so they were bound to give us trouble — and they did.

"It's a tough loss, but I'm not completely disappointed," continued Halberg. "We have a very good team and we will only get better — it's just a matter of time."