DENVER – The MSU Denver men's and women's tennis teams showed they are operating at a high level Saturday in close 4-3 losses to St. Mary's (Texas), a Division II power in both disciplines.
 
The teams took different routes to get to the 4-3 results.
 
The men lost the doubles point, but rallied to win Nos. 1 through 3 singles. Especially impressive were Juho Kantola at No. 2 (6-2, 6-0) and Alejandro Jimenez at No. 3 (6-1, 6-2).
 
"The guys brought the energy in doubles today, but we are still struggling with our execution," MSU Denver coach Josh Graetz said. "Singles was a battle and St Mary's was tough. It was a learning experience for the guys in many ways."

The Roadrunners women won all three doubles matches, including by Isabel Heras/Kinsey Fields at No. 1 in a tiebreaker. But doubles counts only for one point.
 
In singles, Heras at No. 1 and Marie Cool at No. 6 each won in three-set affairs, and Hanna Haber nearly made it 3-for-3 in three at No. 4.
 
In was an encouraging performance for MSU Denver against a team that reached the Division II quarterfinals last season.

"I'm proud of our ladies doubles today," Graetz said. "We outplayed a solid team and deserved to take the lead into singles. Singles was close but I thought St Mary's was just a little more talented and experienced than us. I'm very proud of how we competed."