WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University men's tennis team kicked off its 2023 season with a 9-0 victory over Martin Luther Saturday.
And, 24 hours later, the Cardinals were back on the courts, kicking off their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference season against Carleton — with the match once again decided by a 9-0 outcome.
This time around, however, it did not end in the Cardinals' favor, as the high-powered Knights dealt Saint Mary's a 9-0 setback Sunday at the Winona Tennis Center.
"Carleton came into the match ranked among the nation's best, and we gave them a battle," said Saint Mary's coach
Jeff Halberg. "They are a deep and talented team — but they definitely had to earn the win.
"Overall, it was a solid weekend for us."
The Knights jumped out to a 3-0 lead with 8-2, 8-1, and 8-3 victories in the three doubles matches, before completing the run with six straight-set victories.
The Cardinals (0-1 MIAC, 1-1 overall) are back in action next weekend, heading to Gren Bayu, Wis., for three nonconference matches against Lawrence, Ripon, and St. Norbert.
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