By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
WINONA, Minn. — It didn't come easy, but the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's tennis team got its 2019 season off to a roaring start Friday evening, outlasting Martin Luther 6-3 at the Winona Tennis Center.
 
"I was really pleased with the effort of our guys," said Saint Mary's coach Jeff Halberg. "We had a couple of players missing, but the guys didn't miss a beat. It was a solid win to start things off."
 
The Cardinals got off to a roaring start, dropping just three games in sweeping the three doubles matches 8-2, 8-0, 8-1.
 
The waters weren't quite as calm in singles action, however, as the two teams split the six matches. Saint Mary's earned wins at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 — including a three-set, 6-1, 1-6, 10-8 marathon by Brandon Kurilla (Hastings, Minn.) at No. 3 — while the Knights picked up wins at No. 4, No. 5, and No. 6.
 
The Cardinals (1-0 overall) are right back in action on Saturday, hosting Carleton in the teams' Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener. Match is set to start at noon at the Winona Tennis Center.