Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams saw three RMAC rivals --Metro State, Western New Mexico and Mesa State -- this weekend in Denver and Lakewood, Colo.

This was the first of two RMAC pods. This coming weekend, UNK will host Montana State-Billings, Colorado Christian and Colorado State-Pueblo.

On the women's side, UNK (10-5) pushed its win streak to seven straight by edging the Roadrunners, 5-4, and then getting by Western, 6-3, and Mesa, 7-2.

Facing two of the top teams in the league, the Loper men (10-7) beat rival Metro, 6-3, and then lost to the Mustangs, 8-1, and Mavericks, 6-3.

Against Metro, the senior tandem of Kristen Messbarger (Kearney Catholic) and Katie-Mary Outhwaite (W. Australia) suffered an 8-3 loss at No. 1 doubles. Over the last two springs, this pair is 35-3 with all three losses coming against Metro.

This year, the Roadrunners are using Yerica Pessoa and April Hirad in the top spot.

Both rebounded to win their singles matches with Messbarger nipping Pessoa (3-6, 6-2, 6-1) for a key team point. The 'Runners did record two third set wins at No. 4 and No. 5 singles.

The UNK men were the opposite of the women as they won all three doubles matches to take a commanding lead. The Lopers secured the win with wins at No. 4 through No. 6 singles, each in straight sets.

Things were tougher Saturday morning against a Western team ranked 35th nationally. Only freshman Kyle Conzemius (Lincoln), at No. 5 singles, managed a win for UNK.

Senior Aaron Angst did lose a third set tie breaker at No. 6 singles while Conzemius and freshman Revel Yehezkia fell 9-7 at No. 2 doubles.

On the women's side, the Lopers did lose in three sets at No. 2 and No.6 singles but Western couldn't overcome a 3-0 deficit after doubles.

Finally, against Mesa, the UNK women got a key win from Kristen Messbarger at No. 1 singles (4-6, 7-6, 10-7) while the men lost three close doubles matches to eventually bow out against the Mavs.

This weekend, the Lopers will play CCU, CSUP and MSUB at Harmon Park. The others schools will play each other at Harvey Park and the Sertoma Courts.