Match Summary | GameDay Preview

OWATONNA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's tennis team raced out of the starting blocks in their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match against St. Olaf.

It was the Oles, however, who had the better endurance, as St. Olaf rallied from a 2-1 deficit after the three doubles matches to beat the Cardinals 6-3 Saturday at the Owatonna Indoor Tennis Center.

“I thought we played well,” said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. “(St. Olaf) was just too deep for us.”

The Cardinals got wins from Michael Lunka (Eagan, Minn.) and Bobby Steingraeber (La Crosse, Wis.) at No. 1 doubles and from Gavin Smith (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Justin Loeffler (Winona, Minn.) at No. 3, to give SMU its early 2-1 lead.

Lunka's 6-2, 6-2 win over St. Olaf's John Wight at No. 1 singles, however, was the only other win the Cardinals would muster, as St. Olaf won the other five singles matches in straight sets.

The Cardinals (2-6 MIAC, 9-11 overall) are right back in action on Sunday, as they host Macalester in an 11 a.m. conference match at the Winona Tennis Center. Sunday's match is the final regular-season home match for senior Justin Loeffler (Winona, Minn.).