Box Score

WINONA, Minn. — If the Saint Mary's University women's tennis team was feeling any ill effects after being eliminated from MIAC post-season play with an 8-1 loss to St. Olaf on Saturday, they certainly didn't show it on Tuesday.

With nothing to play for but pride, the Cardinals put together one of their most impressive performances of the season at the SMU Tennis Center, as the Cardinals cruised to five, straight-set singles wins, and swept all three doubles matches en route to an 8-1 nonconference in over UW-River Falls.

"Saturday's match was a tough one to lose," said SMU coach Jeff Halberg, whose team held on to slim hopes of earning a berth in the MIAC Tournament, but were officially eliminated by the Oles with their 8-1 win. "I was a little worried coming in (to Tuesday's match), because I wasn't sure how they would bounce back from Saturday's loss."

They bounced back quite nicely.

Ann Leeder (Greenfield, Wis.), Val Meschke (Pine River, Minn.), Aubrey Hirsch (Topeka, Kan.), Toni Troumbly (Bovey, Minn.) and Brittney Nielsen (Apple Valley, Minn.) all won in straight sets, dropping just 16 games in the 12 singles sets.

And SMU was equally as impressive in doubles, as Leeder and Sara Clements (La Crosse, Wis.) teamed for a 8-4 win at No. 1, while Brianna Placek (Greendale, Wis.)-Abby Cooper (La Crosse, Wis.) added a 9-8 win at No. 2 and Hillary Framke (Stillwater, Minn.)-Colleen Rademacher (Belgrade, Minn.) were 8-3 winners at No. 3.

"This is a great way for this team to close out the season," said Halberg, whose Cardinals closed out the season with a 10-9 overall mark, while Meschke concluded her stellar sophomore season with school-record 16 singles wins. "Though we had our ups and downs this year, we finished with a winning record, which is something to be proud of. The team played great from top to bottom (against the Falcons), which is a great way for this season to come to an end — and a great way for us to head into next season."