Saint Benedict Match Summary / Northern State Match Summary

WINONA, Minn. — Jeff Halberg has seen a lot during his 10 years as the Saint Mary's University women's tennis coach, but he had never seen anything like he witnessed Saturday afternoon at the SMU Tennis Center.

In fact, no coach in the history of the Cardinals' women's program had.

The Cardinals, down 4-0 after the first four matches had been completed, rattled off five straight wins — including a match-clinching 6-3, 6-7, 10-3 victory by Colleen Radermacher (Belgrade, Minn.) at No. 6 singles to give SMU a 5-4 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win over Saint Benedict.

SMU's first-ever win over Saint Benedict.

“It was just an amazing match,” said Halberg, whose team followed up their come-from-behind victory with a more relaxing 9-0 drubbing of Northern State later in the day. “We lost the three doubles matches, but they were all close, so I wasn't too concerned, but then when we lost the first singles match (a 6-1, 6-4 setback by Brittney Nielsen (Apple Valley, Minn.) at No. 5), I got a little worried.

“But the ladies just never gave up — they battled so hard and came through with flying colors. Coach (Dave) Sokolowski and I are so proud of what this group accomplished — to beat Saint Benedict for the first time in school history, that's something to be proud of.”

Toni Troumbly (Bovey, Minn.) and Aubrey Hirsch (Topeka, Kan.) got the Cardinal rally started, winning in straight sets at No. 4 (6-1, 6-3) and No. 3 (6-4, 7-5), respectively.

Val Meschke (Pine River, Minn.) and #kayla Lenz (Pequot Lakes, Minn.) both rallied from disastrous first-set losses to post three-set victories — Meschke 0-6, 6-4, 10-4 at No. 1 and Lenz 1-6, 6-3, 10-8 at No. 2 — to set up Radermacher's heroics at No. 6.

“I can't say enough about the determination of this team,” said Halberg. “Everyone played so well — and we needed every to be at their best if we were even going to have a shot at beating (Saint Benedict).

“It was just a great way to start the day.”

And SMU made quick working of finishing their conference-nonconference doubleheader, taking all three doubles matches, while dropping just 14 games in sweeping the six singles matches vs. Northern State.

“All-in-all, it was a very good day,” Halberg said. “I was happy to see us not let down after such an emotional win. We were able to play our entire lineup (against Northern State) and everyone did a nice job.”