Match Summary

LAKEVILLE, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's tennis team had their chances Wednesday evening, but the Cardinals could not seal the deal, as Bethel outlasted SMU 6-3 in a Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match at Lakeville Lifetime Fitness.

“This was definitely a missed opportunity for us,” said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. “We had a 4-1 lead at No. 1 doubles and three match points at No. 2 doubles, and couldn't come away with a win in either one. That kind of set the tone for the rest of the match.

“Give Bethel credit, they never quit fighting,” Halberg added. “But this was one we let slip away.”

The Cardinals trailed 2-1 after the three doubles matches, with Tim Wolford (Maple Grove, Minn.) and Steven Mino (Austin, Minn.) teaming for an 8-0 win at No. 3 doubles, while Pawel Szczepkowski (Opolskie, Poland) and Sam Puff (Eden Prairie, Minn.) earned SMU's two singles wins. Szczepkowski was a 6-1, 6-0 winner at No. 3, while Puff chipped in a 6-0, 6-2 victory at No. 5.

The Cardinals (0-5 MIAC, 5-6 overall) are back in action on Friday, when they host UW-La Crosse in a 6 p.m. nonconference match at the Winona Tennis Center.