Match Summary | GameDay Preview

NEW BERLIN, Wis. — After a pair of fairly “easy” 9-0 victories to open the season Friday, the Saint Mary's University men's tennis team had to work a little harder to win match No. 3.

But win they did.

Thanks to a victory by Michael Lunka (Eagan, Minn.) and Bobby Steingraeber (La Crosse, Wis.) at No. 1 doubles, and a win-clinching, three-set marathon win by Sam Puff (Eden Prairie, Minn.) at No. 2 singles, the Cardinals rallied from a 4-3 deficit to hand Carroll a 5-4 nonconference setback Saturday evening.

“What a great match,” said SMU coach Jeff Halberg. “It was one of those matches that could have gone either way. Michael and Bobby played a great match at No. 1 doubles, and Sam came through with an 11-9 win in the super breaker to win at No. 2 singles.

“It was a great team win.”

The Cardinals, who had swept the singles matches in both of their first two matches this season in straight sets, found the going a bit more difficult on Saturday, as three of the six singles matches went the maximum three sets. Puff collected a 6-3, 4-6, 11-9 win at No. 2 singles, while Steingraeber was a 6-3, 2-6, 10-3 winner at No. 3. Gavin Smith (White Bear Lake, Minn.) wasn't as fortunate at No. 5 singles, winning the first set 6-3, before falling 6-1, 10-7.

Smith and Collin Kazorowski (Suamico, Wis.) added an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles, while Lunka-Steingraeber added a 9-8 (7-4) triumph at No. 1 singles to complete the SMU victory.

The Cardinals were scheduled to play Martin Luther at the Winona Tennis Center, but the match has been postponed due to inclement weather. SMU will now return to action on Friday, hosting Carleton in a 6:30 p.m. Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match at the Winona Tennis Center.