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Cardinal Roster
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Men's Schedule
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Men's Statistics
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Women's Schedule
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Women's Statistics
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| 2006 Records: Men: 2-7 MIAC, 12-11 Overall Women: 3-7 MIAC, 10-12 Overall |
| Upcoming Events: Fri., Feb. 2: SMU vs. Carleton (at Rochester, Minn.), 8 p.m. |
SMU men, women ready to make a charge in MIAC
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Adam
Solseth All-MIAC at No. 1 doubles in 2006 |
Cardinal regulars Tony Miller (Rochester, Minn.), Adam Solseth (Shakopee, Minn.), Steve Clements (La Crosse, Wis.), and Thomas Vollman (Oak Park, Ill.) will all be in the lineup when SMU squares off against the Knights.
For the first time in four years, however, SMU coach Jeff Halberg won't be penciling in Tyler Stevenson as his No. 1 singles player.
Stevenson — an All-MIAC performer at No. 1 singles in each of the last three years, while also earning all-conference honors at No. 1 doubles twice — graduated in May, leaving Halberg with one huge pair of shoes to fill.
"Losing a player of Tyler's caliber is tough," Halberg said. "He was an exceptional player and it's going to be very difficult to replace him in the lineup."
But Halberg is confident he will be able to do just that.
"The best part of this year is our depth," Halberg said. "This may be the deepest team I've every had. We've got six or seven guys who can step in and give us a solid starting lineup.
"We've got a lot of experience coming back, but we've also got a couple of very talented freshmen who should step in and contribute," added Halberg. "Our roster is a bit of an 'old-and-new' look to it."
As does Halberg's women's team.
Ann Leeder (Greenfield, Wis.) returns as SMU's lone senior, while junior Aubrey Hirsch (Topeka, Kan.) and sophomore Val Meschke (Pine River, Minn.) are also back after successful 2006 campaigns.
And then there's the deep and talented freshman class — led by Shannon Cooney (Eden Prairie, Minn.), who will open the season as Halberg's No. 1 singles player.
"Top-to-bottom, this may be my most talented team yet," said Halberg, whose women went 10-12 overall a year ago. "We've got a lot of freshmen, so it's going to take a while to get everyone to gel together as a unit.
"The biggest key when you have a young team is getting them to believe in themselves — getting them to understand that they are good enough to play at this level," said Halberg. "This team has the ability to do some great things, it's just a matter of having it all come together for us.
"I'm excited about what the season has in store for both teams — I think we have the potential to turn a few heads."