Match Summary | GameDay Preview

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary's University men's tennis coach knew that his Cardinals needed a bounce-back performance when they took the court against St. Olaf Saturday afternoon.

And bounce back they did.

The Cardinals, who dropped a disappointing 7-2 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference decision to Bethel on Thursday, rebounded with a 7-2 win of their own, beating St. Olaf at the Winona Tennis Center.

“The guys came up huge,” said Halberg. “They knew they needed to respond after Thursday's disappointing loss to Bethel — and what a response They entire team played terrific tennis — their effort was monumental.”

The Cardinals took control early, jumping out to a 3-0 lead behind doubles wins by Michael Lunka (Eagan, Minn.)-Bobby Steingraeber (La Crosse, Wis.), Sam Puff (Eden Prairie, Minn.)-Gavin Smith (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Andrew Rangitsch (Oakdale, Minn.)-Collin Kaczorowski (Suamico, Wis.).

Lunka, Puff, Rangitsch and Kaczorowski all followed with singles wins — with all four coming in three sets. Lunka and Puff rallied from 6-4 first-set losses to win 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 and 4-6, 7-6, 10-4, respectively, while Rangitsch chipped in a 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 win and Kaczorowski added a 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 victory.

The Cardinals (2-4 MIAC, 13-5 overall) are back in action next weekend, traveling to Mankato, Minn., for a 2 p.m. nonconference match against Bethany Lutheran on Saturday, beore heading to Collegeville, Minn., for an 11 a.m. MIAC showdown against Saint John's on Sunday.