WINONA, Minn. — As if playing St. Catherine at full strength wasn't tough enough, playing the high-powered Wildcats without the services of four starters was just too much for the Saint Mary's University women's tennis team.
The Cardinals, shorthanded due to injuries, put forth a gallant effort, but were no match for SCU, as the Wildcats dealt Saint Mary's a 9-0 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference setback Sunday afternoon at the Winona Tennis Center.
"It was just a bridge too far for the ladies today," said Saint Mary's coach
Jeff Halberg. "With four starters out of the lineup, and coming off a draining battle against Macalester (on Saturday), we just didn't have enough in the tanks to keep pace with a team the caliber of St. Catherine."
The Wildcats took charge early, posting wins of 8-6, 8-1, and 8-0 in the three doubles matches, and completed the sweep with six, straight-set victories in the singles portion of the match.
The Cardinals (1-7 MIAC, 6-9 overall) are now off until April 15, when they travel to Waverly, Iowa, for a 10 a.m. nonconference match against Wartburg.
