Men's Summary vs. St. Scholastica
Women's Summary vs. Bemidji State

DULUTH, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's and women's tennis teams got their seasons off to a flying start Friday, as the Cardinal men slipped past St. Scholastica 5-4, while the SMU women were 7-2 winners over Bemidji State.

“It was a good start for both teams,” said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. “I thought both teams played very well.”

The Cardinal men kicked off their win with victories at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles — with Michael Lunka (Eagan, Minn.) and Bobby Steingraeber (La Crosse, Wis.) teaming for an 8-4 win at No. 1, while Sam Puff (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Andrew Rangitsch (Oakdale, Minn.) posted an 8-6 win at No. 2.

Lunka and Puff were also winners at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, while Gavin Smith (White Bear Lake, Minn.) picked up his first collegiate win at No. 6, 6-3, 6-0.

“This was a very close match in nearly every way,” said Halberg of the men's win. “St. Scholastica is the reigning UMAC champions many times over, so we knew this was going to be a tough, tough match — and it lived up it its billing.

“It was a great first match for us to have, and I'm very proud of our effort.”

The SMU women made things look a bit easier in their win over Bemidji State, as the Cardinals swept the three doubles matches — Bailey Edwards (Fond du Lac, Wis.)-Rebecca Snyder (Eden Prairie, Minn.) won 8-4 at No. 1, Killian Edwards (Fond du Lac, Wis.)-Andrea Allis (Wells, Minn.) won 8-3 at No. 2 and Abby Voigt (Burnsville)-Grace Zachman (Elk River, Minn.) were 8-0 winners at No. 3 — and picked up straight set singles wins at No. 1, 2 and 3 singles.

Bailey Edwards, Snyder and Allis were the Cardinals' straight-set singles winners, dropping just five games combined, while Voigt needed three sets to outlast BSU's Miradna Milless, 6-0, 4-6, 10-6 at No. 4.

“This was a good first match for us,” Halberg said of his women's squad. “Bemidji had some solid, hard-working players and they gave us some good battles at a number of positions.”

The Cardinal women are back in action on Sunday, taking on St. Scholastica and UM-Duluth, while the SMU men are now off until Feb. 13, when they open conference play at Carleton.