WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary's University of Minnesota men's tennis team had a flair for the dramatic when the Cardinals squared off against Hamline in last season's Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference showdown.
 
Down 4-0 after the three doubles matches and the No. 5 singles match, the Cardinals rallied for five straight victories—including three, three-setters—to rally for a 5-4 victory over the Pipers at HU's Holt Courts.
 
When Jeff Halberg's squad took the courts at the Winona Tennis Center on Friday, the Cardinal head coach was hoping for another favorable outcome—with perhaps a little less of the drama.
 
Mission accomplished—sort of.
 
It wasn't another 5-4 nailbiter, but it was close, as the Cardinals—propelled by a huge come-from-behind win at No. 1 doubles, dropped the Pipers 6-3.
 
"What an awesome match," said Saint Mary's coach Jeff Halberg. "We got a huge win at No. 1 doubles, and that really set the tone for the singles matches."
 
Alex Holm (Red Wing, Minn.) and Andrew Johnson (Rochester, Minn.) rallied from a 7-4 deficit to win 9-8 at No. 1 doubles and helped the Cardinals grab a 2-1 lead after the three doubles matches.
 
And riding the momentum of that victory, Saint Mary's won four of the six singles matches—including a 7-5, 6-7 (4), 10-7 victory by Alex Zuzek (Hastings, Minn.) at No. 6 to seal the victory.
 
The Cardinals (1-2 MIAC, 7-3 overall) are right back in action on Saturday, heading to St. Peter, Minn., for an 11 a.m. conference showdown against nationally ranked Gustavus.