Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams each went 2-1 this weekend at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds, sweeping Minnesota State and St. Cloud State and falling to Rockhurst (Mo.).

The Loper men (8-4) rolled past the MSU Mavericks, 6-1, and SCSU Huskies, 5-0, before dropping an 8-1 decision to the 35th-ranked Rockhurst Hawks on Sunday.  On the women's side, UNK (6-6) beat Minnesota State, 5-0, and St. Cloud, 5-3, and was then nipped by the Hawks, 5-4.

In the most recent ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) rankings, the Loper men are ranked second in the Central Region and the women sixth.

This was a busy weekend overall as Metro State and Mesa State were in town and they also played the Mavericks, Huskies and Hawks. The teams alternated between Kearney and Grand Island to play these duals.

Against Rockhurst, the men's score was a bit deceiving as the No. 2 doubles team of John Steinke (Grand Island) and Kyle Conzemius (Lincoln Pius) led 5-4 before losing 8-5.

At No. 2 singles, India freshman Yeswanth Nadella lost in three sets (0-6, 6-1, 12-10) as did Conzemius at the fourth spot (4-6, 6-2, 10-4). Nadella had two match points but John Lazenby managed to come back both times.

Junior Josh Raymond (Elkhorn) scored the Lopers only point as he won a thriller (6-3, 3-6, 10-7) at No. 1 singles.

The Loper women led Rockhurst 2-0 before falling behind 4-2. The Hawks four points included an 8-6 win at No. 3 doubles and three set win by Karsyn Betts at No. 2 singles (3-6, 6-2, 11-9) over Texas freshman Cassie Shaw.

Rockhurst secured the dual win when No. 4 singles player Rachel Lazenby won 6-0, 6-1.

Kearney natives Candace Green and Nickola Messbarger won at No. 2 doubles and then each won their singles match to score UNK's final points.

The wins over St. Cloud were important as the Huskies are annually among the best in the region. Both Loper teams won all three doubles matches to taking a commanding lead.

UNK returns to RMAC play next weekend, heading to Montana State-Billings to face the Yellowjackets, CSU-Pueblo and Colorado Christian.