WINONA, Minn. — With two conference matches remaining, the Saint Mary's University of Minnesota women's tennis team's hopes of a berth in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Playoffs rested in wins in those final two matches—and a little help.
Without a win over St. Olaf on Saturday, however, the Cardinals' playoff berths would be nonexistent.
No problem.
The Cardinals kept those slim post-season hopes alive, cruising to an impressive 7-2 victory over the Oles at the Winona Tennis Center.
"This was a very good win for the ladies," said Saint Mary's coach
Jeff Halberg. "We played some great tennis and never really let St. Olaf into the match."
The Cardinals jumped out to a 2-1 lead after the three doubles matches, as
Cassandra Barr (Eau Claire, Wis.)/
Julia Boeve (St. James, Minn.) posted an 8-2 win, and
Haley Jorgensen (Fallon, Nev.)/
Marissa Kinzer (Aitkin, Minn.) added an 8-3 triumph at No. 3.
And in singles, the Cardinals dominated, getting straight-set wins from Barr, Boeve, Jorgensen, and Kinzer, while Vandenberg adding a 2-6, 6-0, 10-7 win at No. 2.
The Cardinals (4-5 MIAC, 10-5 overall) step out of conference play on Wednesday, entertaining UW-River Falls in a 3 p.m. nonconference matchup at the Winona Tennis Center.
