OWATONNA, Minn. — Coming back from Spring Break, the Saint Mary's women's tennis team dropped a 6-1 decision to St. Olaf College in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) women's tennis action Saturday at West Hills Tennis and Fitness Center.

Saint Mary's (5-3 overall, 0-3 MIAC) stopped the Cardinals from being swept in doubles action as the No. 3 tandem of Aheli Patel and Taylor DePover secured a 7-5 victory over their opponent.

St. Olaf (4-3 overall, 2-2 MIAC) claimed the other two doubles matches to take the early lead. At No. 1 doubles, Alexandra Berns and Emma Clift defeated Elena Ruzevich and Emily Dondelinger, 6-3, while Elliana Loesch and Dana Keesler topped Olivia Molumby and Harsha Gangasani 6-2 at No. 2.

In singles play, the Oles captured five of the six matches to seal the team victory.

Saint Mary's No. 3 singles player Aheli Patel provided the Cardinals with their highlight of the afternoon in singles action, posting a straight-set 6-2, 6-0 victory over Mads Hockmuth.

At the top of the lineup, Elena Ruzevich battled Alexandra Berns in a three-set match before falling in a tightly contested third-set super tiebreak, 6-3, 4-6, 10-4. Emily Dondelinger also pushed her opponent to a third set at No. 2 singles before Emma Clift secured the win in a match tiebreak, 6-3, 4-6, 10-8.

Dana Keesler defeated Taylor DePover 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4 singles, while Charlotte Sloane posted a 6-4, 6-3 win over Olivia Molumby at No. 5. Norah Brusco closed out the match with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Maddie Jensen at No. 6.

Saint Mary's returns to action next week for more conference action in Fargo, N.D. to take on the Cobbers of Concordia on Friday, Mar. 20 at noon.