Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams returned home Tuesday afternoon and both fell to Southwest Baptist (Mo.) by 7-2 scores.

The dual, held in Harmon Park, was originally scheduled for Thursday but moved up to accommodate the Bearcats schedule. 

The Loper men, who went 4-0 in Illinois over the weekend, fall to 7-7 while the UNK women drop to 6-6. They went 3-0 in the Land of Lincoln.

Facing one of the MIAA's top programs and a squad that is ranked 24th nationally, the UNK men had a chance at a 5-4 win but lost close matches at No. 1 doubles, No. 3 singles and No. 5 singles.

In the top spot, senior Josh Raymond (Elkhorn) and sophomore Yeswanth Nadella (India) led late but lost to Domingos Carissimo and Jorge Margiotta by a 9-8 (7-5) score.

Nadella's tough luck continued in singles as he fell to Kristof Kinal by a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (5) tally. Next, Dan Cardona edged junior John Steinke (Grand Island) by a 6-3, 3-6, 10-6 count at No. 5 singles.

UNK did get a close win in the sixth spot as junior Kyle Conzemius won 3-6, 6-4, 10-4. The Lincoln Pius graduate paired with sophomore Revel Yehezkia (Indonesia) to post an 8-4 at No. 3 doubles to score the Lopers other point.

The women also won at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles.

Sophomore Candace Green (Kearney H.S.) out lasted Crystal Guiot by a 6-3, 5-7, 10-8 score with senior Nickola Messbarger (Kearney Catholic H.S.) and freshman Tealyn Trimble (Kearney H.S.) beating Guiot and Andjela Panovski in doubles by an 8-4 score.

This Friday, the UNK women host Upper Iowa at 4:00 p.m. Both teams are then at Hastings College on March 28th.