Kearney, Neb. – The nationally-ranked Southwest Baptist tennis teams defeated Nebraska-Kearney in the MIAA Tournament semifinals Saturday in Springfield, Mo.
 
Both the Loper women (19-7) and men (18-5) are expected to make the NCAA Tournament; the regional pairings will be announced Monday.

The Loper women have another dual to add to its resume as they'll battle Emporia State for third place on Sunday morning; the men's third place tilt will not be played as Washburn withdrew from the dual with UNK. The Lopers thus pick up its 18th win.
 
The 27th-ranked ranked SBU women improved to 20-3 with a 5-2 win over UNK while the 47th-ranked Bearcat men are 11-8 after a 5-1 decision over the Lopers.
 
On the women's side, the nation's ninth-ranked doubles team of Fanni Varga and Christina Zentai managed an 8-3 win over senior Vanessa Gunawan (Indonesia) and junior Kari Emery (Tucson, Ariz.) in the top spot.
 
UNK's Paula Jimenez (Spain) and Renee Hoekstra (East Lansing, Mich.) did win 8-3 at No. 3 doubles to make it a 2-1 deficit.
 
The nation's fourth ranked singles player, Varga won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 1 singles with her fellow 'Cats also winning in straight sets (No. 2 and No. 4). Emery shut out her opponent in both sets at No. 6 singles to score the Lopers second point. The transfer from Pima C.C. (Ariz.) improves to 20-3 in singles.
 
The Kearney men fell behind 3-0 after doubles as they lost by scores of 8-5, 8-6 and 8-5. SBU has the nation's 19th-ranked doubles team in Kristof Kinal and Omaha El Kheshen.
 
Loper freshman Lucas Garces (Spain) got the Lopers on the board with a 6-4, 6-2 win at No. 4 singles but SBU won in the second and sixth spots to secure the win and advance to Sunday's finals.