OWATONNA, Minn. — They are called "tiebreakers," but there would be no breaks for the Saint Mary's University men's tennis team Saturday afternoon.
Four of the Cardinals' six singles matches in their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference match against St. Olaf were extended to a third set — and the Oles came away with wins in all five, as STO dealt Saint Mary's an 8-1 setback.
"We are so competitive this season, but the tiebreakers have just proven to be our nemesis," said Saint Mary's coach
Jeff Halberg. "We are giving every opponent a tough fight, but are just falling short. Give St. Olaf credit for being tough under pressure."
St. Olaf jumped out to a 3-0 lead by sweeping the three doubles matches with wins of 8-7 (4), 8-1, and 8-5, but when it came to the singles portion, the Cardinals made the Oles work for every point they won.
Tucker Stene (Fridley, Minn.) picked up the Cardinals' lone win, posting a 7-6,
6-3 victory at No. 5 singles, while Brandon Kurilla (Hastings, Minn.), Josh Janssen (Green Bay, Wis.), E.J. Hietala (Duluth, Minn.), and Matt Besek (Winona, Minn.) were all stretched to a third set, before falling.
The Cardinals (0-3 MIAC, 5-10 overall) are back in action next Sunday, when they travel to Courts Plus in Fargo, N.D., for a conference match against Concordia
