WINONA, Minn. — Talk about a tough season-opener.
 
The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's tennis team kicked off its 2015 season Sunday—against defending Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion Carleton
 
And the Knights—ranked No. 26 in the ITA preseason poll—appeared to be in perfect form, handing Saint Mary's a 9-0 conference setback at the Winona Tennis Center.
 
"Taking on the defending conference champ is your season opener is certainly a tall task," said Saint Mary's coach Jeff Halberg. "But I thought we competed well—we definitely have some positives that we can take going forward."
 
The Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the doubles portion, sandwiching a pair of 8-3 wins around an 8-0 victory at No. 2.
 
Carleton picked up where they left off in singles, posting six straight-set victories. Kirsten Hoffman (Apple Valley, Minn.) dropped a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4 decision at No. 1, but the rest of the Cardinals struggled against the powerful Knights, managing to win just eight games in the remaining 10 sets.
 
The Cardinals (0-1 MIAC, 0-1 overall) are back on their home Winona Tennis Center courts next weekend for a pair of nonconference matches, hosting Bethany Lutheran in a 5 p.m. match on Friday, before entertaining Martin Luther on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Match Summary