Box Score

WINONA, Minn. — Jeff Halberg wasn't asking for much — a break, just one break.

Halberg knew heading into Sunday's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match against Saint John's that the doubles matches were going to be the key to the entire match.

Taking two of the three doubles matches would be a huge boost for his Cardinals.

SMU got one win, an 8-5 victory by Tyler Stevenson (Neenah, Wis.) and Adam Solseth (Shakopee, Minn.) at No. 2, and could have easily gotten a second at No. 3, if only SMU could get a break — literally.

SMU's Walter Mannino (Chicago, Ill.) and Thomas Vollman (Oak Park, Ill.) could not break the serve of SJU's Ted Lauer and Pat Boerner once, as the Johnnie duo picked up an 8-5 win — and gave SJU the momentum, and the 2-1 edge heading into the singles competition.

The Johnnies then closed out the 6-3 MIAC win with wins in four of the six singles matches.

"It's a tough loss — we knew those doubles matches were going to be pivotal, and we just couldn't catch a break in that third doubles match," said Halberg, whose men were coming off a 9-0 MIAC loss to Gustavus on Saturday. "Walter and Thomas played a great (doubles) match. They just couldn't break serve, and that was the difference."

Mannino, who had his eight-match winning streak snapped with a straight-set loss on Saturday, rebounded to pick up a 7-5, 6-4 win over SJU's Trevor Beach at No. 2 singles. Stevenson picked up SMU's other singles win, cruising to a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles. SMU dropped the other four singles matches in straight sets.

"I thought we played much better today than we did (against Gustavus)," said Halberg. "There were so many good points — several of those matches could have easily gone either way. Saint John's is a good, deep team and they played us tough."