Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney men's tennis team dispatched of Emporia State, 5-1, Friday morning in the first round of the MIAA Tournament in Springfield, Mo.
 
The third-seeded Lopers (17-4) have now won nine straight and advance to face second-seed Southwest Baptist (10-8) Saturday at 9:00 a.m.
 
The winner of this dual will likely host the other in an NCAA Tournament Central Regional match next weekend. In the latest NCAA rankings, SBU is second and UNK third; the Central has only three NCAA spots available this year.
 
Earlier this season in Bolivar, the Bearcats beat the Lopers by a 6-3 score.
 
In its regular season finale, UNK slipped past E-State (9-9) by a 5-4 score. The Lopers won at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles by 9-8 scores in that dual but it wasn't that close this morning.
 
Freshmen Lucas Garces (Spain) and Mohab El Zanaty (Egpyt) won 8-4 in the second spot with sophomore Fletcher Sheridan (Georgetown, Texas) and freshman Justin Nguyen (Louisville, Colo.) winning 8-3 in the third position.
 
While the Hornets won at No. 1 doubles, El Zanaty (No. 3), Ngyuen (No. 5) and English junior Jack Nicholson (No. 6) each took their singles matches in straight sets to secure the win.
 
Win or lose against the Bearcats and UNK will play again Sunday at 11:00 a.m. The complete bracket is available at www.themiaa.com.