Match Summary | GameDay Preview

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The conference schedule-makers were not very kind to the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's tennis team when it came to kicking off Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
 
The Cardinals opened their conference slate on Jan. 29, falling 9-0 to Carleton—picked No. 1 in the MIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
In conference match No. 2 Sunday afternoon, the Cardinals once again dropped a 9-0 decision, this time against St. Thomas—picked to finish third in the MIAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
"St. Thomas is a very good team," understated Cardinal coach Jeff Halberg. "This was a useful match for us—we learned some things we can take forward into the rest of the season."
 
The Tommies jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, winning the three doubles matches 8-3, 8-0, and 8-4, and completed the sweep by taking five of the six singles matches in straight sets.
 
Megan Vandenberg (De Pere, Wis.) got off to a quick start in her No. 2 singles match against UST's Caitlyn Bakke, winning the opening set 6-2, but came up short in the end, falling 2-6, 6-2, 10-3.
 
The Cardinals (0-2 MIAC, 1-2 overall) step out of conference play on Friday, entertaining North Central (Minn.) in an 11 a.m. match at the Winona Tennis Center.