SMU Tennis

HILTON HEAD, S.C. — The final score read 6-3 in favor of Franklin.

But if the Saint Mary's University men's tennis team could have caught a break — literally — it could have easily been a 6-3 Cardinal victory.

"This was definitely one of those matches that could have easily gone either way," said SMU coach Jeff Halberg, whose team dropped four tie-breakers — all by identical 7-5 scores in dropping their first match of their spring trip. "We had four matches that went to a tie-break and we lost all four of them. We win those tie-breaks 7-5 instead of losing them 7-5, and we win the match."

Tom Vollman (Oak Park, Ill.) and David Reckase (La Crosse, Wis.) were straight-set singles winners for the Cardinals, while Steve Clements (La Crosse, Wis.) and Tony Clafton (Grand Rapids, Minn.) teamed for an 8-2 win at No. 3 doubles. Adam Solseth (Shakopee, Minn.), meanwhile, came out on the short end of a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) decision at No. 2 singles, while Tony Miller (Rochester, Minn.) fell 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 at No. 4. Vollman and Solseth also went to a tie-break at No. 1 doubles, falling 9-8 (7-5).

"I thought we played pretty well, but I also think we faded a bit as the match wore on," said Halberg. "It was 85 (degrees) and sunny, and we're not used to playing in that type of heat.

"Despite the final score, I was pretty pleased with our effort — we just couldn't seem to catch a break."