By DONNY NADEAU
Saint Mary's Sports Information Director
 
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The last time the Saint Mary's University women's tennis team played in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, the Cardinals dropped a 5-0 decision to St. Thomas in their quarterfinal round match.
 
That was 2017.
 
Fast-forward two seasons, and the Cardinals were back in the post-season — and once again squared off against the Tommies in the opening round.
 
And — unfortunately for the Cardinals — the Tommies had the Cardinals' number, dealing Saint Mary's a season-ending 5-0 setback at the University of Minnesota Baseline Tennis Center.
 
"All seasons must come to an end sometime — and today was our time," said Saint Mary's coach Jeff Halberg. "We played well, but St. Thomas is simply a little better.
 
"It was an amazing season, and these ladies have so much to be proud of."
 
The Tommies jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after the three doubles matches, winning 8-4 at No. 1, 8-1 at No. 2, and 8-0 at No. 3. UST then completed the sweep with wins over Cassandra Barr (Eau Claire, Wis.) at No. 3 and Kennedy Morgan () at No. 6.
 
Saint Mary's, which won 12 of its last 14 matches — a run that included a program-record 11-match winning streak — closed out the season with a 14-7 overall record. St. Thomas (12-4), meanwhile, advances to Friday's MIAC semifinals, traveling to Northfield, Minn., for a 3:30 p.m. showdown against top-seeded and regular-season champion Carleton.