SAINT MARY’S CARDINALS
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2023: 2-7 MIAC, 9-11 Overall
ON THE WEB:
Tournament Websie
SMU-ITA * A YEAR AGO:
Sept. 30-1, 2022 * St. Peter, MN
Day 1 Recap * Day 2 Recap
SAINT MARY’S * UP NEXT:
Jan. 27, 2023 * Winona, MN
Martin Luther * 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 28, 2023 * Winona, MN
Carleton * 1:30 p.m.
SAINT MARY’S CARDINALS SCOUTING REPORT:
• FOR THE RECORD:
The Cardinals closed out their 2023 season sitting at 9-11 overall, including 2-7 through eight MIAC contests.
• ROAD TRIPPING:
SMU played just eight of its 20 matches on its home court last season. SMU closed out the year 5-3 at home, while sporting a 4-8 mark away from the Winona Tennis Center.
• SINGLED OUT:
Tucker Stene (Fridley, Minn.) picked up his team-leading 12th dual-match singles win in SMU’s season-finale against St. Scholastica on April 22, 2023. … Stene’s 12 singles victories a year ago were three more than Caden Rodning (Mason City, Iowa). Brendon Raabolle (Andover, Minn.) and E.J. Hietala (Duluth, Minn.) were tied for third with eight dual-match victories, followed by Josh Janssen (Green Bay, Wis.) with seven.
• GOING THE DISTANCE:
The Cardinals had 25 singles contests extended to a third set in 2023 — including three each in matches against Saint John’s, Northwestern (Minn.) and St. Norbert. … SMU was 14-11 in those 25 three-set matches and are now 36-34 in three-setters over the last two seasons.
• CAREER FIRSTS:
Philip Apel (North Oaks, Minn.) became the second Cardinal to post his first collegiate victory in 2023, delivering a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 6 singles against Macalester on April 1. Apel followed that up with his second singles victory two weeks later to account for SMU’s lone tally in its 8-1 loss to Wartburg on April 15. … Rodning’s 6-4, 6-0 win at No. 6 singles against Martin Luther on Jan. 28 was his first collegiate singles victory. … Huemoeller posted a 7-5, 7-6 (4) win against Martin Luther on Jan. 28 in his first appearance at No. 1 singles.
• DOUBLING UP:
Raabolle led the team in doubles wins with nine, going 9-9 last season — including 6-5 partnered with Rodning. … Rodning and Janssen are second on the squad with seven doubles wins, followed by Hietala and Matt Besek (Winona Minn.) with six each. … SMU used 17 different doubles combinations — including two at No. 1, seven at No. 2, and eight at No. 3.
• PERFECT DAY:
Hietala and Janssen enjoyed a perfect day in the Cardinals’ nonconference wins over Albion and Adrian on Feb. 28, 2023. The duo each picked up singles wins in both matches, while teaming together for a pair of victories at No. 2 doubles.
• TOTAL DOMINATION:
With their 9-0 win over Martin Luther in their 2023 season opener on Jan. 28, the Cardinals pushed their winning streak to 20 straight against the Knights. SMU has never lost to Martin Luther in program history.
• TURNING THE TABLES:
The Cardinals’ win over Bethany Lutheran on Feb. 25, 2023 marked the second straight meeting with the Vikings in which the match ended with a 5-4 decision. BLC beat Saint Mary’s 5-4 a year ago.
• OUT OF THEIR LEAGUE:
The Cardinals closed out 2023 7-4 in nonconference play this season and are 78-37 in non-MIAC matches since 2012.
