Match Summary | GameDay Preview

WINONA, Minn. — Talk about stepping out of the frying pan and into the fire.
 
Less than 24 hours after falling to St. Olaf—a team that is unbeaten in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference—the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's tennis team squared off against nationally ranked Gustavus at the Winona Tennis Center.
 
And, unfortunately for coach Jeff Halberg, the Cardinals' gallant effort was not enough, as the Gusties—ranked No. 39 in the nation and No. 10 in the region—handed Saint Mary's a 9-0 conference setback.
 
"I think the scores are a bit deceiving—we played a good match against a nationally ranked team—and the best team in the MIAC," said Halberg. "We gave it a good effort."
 
The Gusties raced out to a quick 3-0 lead with 8-0, 8-1, and 8-3 wis in the three doubles matches, before adding victories in all six singles matches—including five in straight sets.
 
Megan Vandenberg (De Pere, Wis.) won the opening set of her match at No. 3 singles in a tiebreaker, but GAC's Sid Dirks rebounded with 6-4 and 10-5 wins to seal the victory.
 
The Cardinals (2-6 MIAC, 10-7 overall) step out of conference play for a final time on Thursday, heading to Menomonie, Wis., for a 4 p.m. nonconference match against UW-Stout.