Talent, depth have expectations at all-time high for SMU

WINONA, Minn. — If Saint Mary’s University tennis coach Jeff Halberg could describe the way he feels about the upcoming season, he would put his feelings into one word: optimistic.

After reaching two milestones in 2004 — a male athlete winning All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference recognition for the first time in 24 years along with the women’s team compiling the most wins ever in a single season — Halberg feels his teams have finally built a foundation to accomplish what they never have.

And that comes down to one thing: posting a winning record.

“I’m very optimistic about the upcoming season,” said Halberg, who will enter his seventh season as head men’s and women’s coach. “I feel that our chances of finishing with the best record in the programs' history are very good.

“We’ve established a level of talent that will force a lot of competition for positions, and now that a solid foundation has been set, we can build off our past success.”

The Cardinals will be sure to build off the past success of Tyler Stevenson (Neenah, Wis.), who, as a sophomore last season, became the first SMU men’s tennis player to be named an All-MIAC performer at No. 1 singles since 1980, when Doug Luebbe finished second in the MIAC at No. 1 singles.

Stevenson played all 21 matches at No. 1 singles for Saint Mary’s a year ago, compiling a 6-3 MIAC and 17-4 overall record, helping his team to a 4-5 MIAC and 8-13 overall record.

“One thing Tyler has always given the team is a consistent performance,” Halberg said, noting that in Stevenson’s 17 wins on the season, he earned a stretch of eight consecutive victories. “I know what he’s capable of on the court, but now I’m looking for him to provide a larger leadership role now that he’s an upperclassman— the kind of leadership I’ve gotten in the past from people like Mark Leeder (Greenfield, Wis.).”

Leeder, a senior captain for the Cardinals, will return to team with Stevenson at No. 1 doubles. The duo reached the ITA Midwest Regional quarterfinals in October, where, for the second straight year, a team from MIAC tennis powerhouse Gustavus Adolphus put an end to their run.

“Mark has given so much to the Saint Mary’s tennis program, all I want is for him to have a healthy season,” Halberg said, noting Leeder has suffered from nagging injuries for the past three seasons. “I hope he gets what he deserves — he’s a great example for the younger players who will have to compete for certain positions.”

Competition for places will also come into play on the women’s side, as SMU returns three of six starters from last season’s school record setting team — a team that compiled 12 overall wins to produce the most wins ever in one season and end 3-7 in the MIAC and 12-12 overall.

With the return of seniors Jennifer Cochran (Winona, Minn.) and Lisa Thompson (Lake City, Minn.), in addition to sophomore Ashley Meschke (Pequot Lakes, Minn.), Halberg will add five newcomers along with senior leaders Angie Beissel (Hastings, Minn.) and Michele Clarke (Omaha, Neb.), who took last season off to study overseas, to produce a roster of 11 players — two more than he had in 2004.

“Ashley played No. 1 singles for us all of last year as a freshman, and she really became our ‘go to person’ when we needed her,” Halberg said. “She returns as a sophomore, with a year of collegiate tennis under her belt, and I’m excited to see what she’ll be capable of this season.

“On both sides, I see the competition for places driving the team to new levels. The great thing about our athletes is that they won’t settle. Our No. 1 goal is to improve on where we ended last season, and since we just barely finished in the bottom half of the MIAC, I can definitely see us being in the top half this year.”