Kearney, Neb. – The NW Missouri State tennis teams swept Nebraska-Kearney, 6-3 (men) and 5-4 (women), Friday afternoon in Maryville.

The 27th-ranked Loper men fall to 18-3 (4-1) while the regionally-ranked UNK women are now 19-5 (7-3).

In a battle to decide the men's MIAA regular season title, the 19th-ranked Bearcats (13-6, 3-0) won at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles to grab the early lead. UNK came into the day with a 47-13 doubles mark.

The key win was in the second spot where Mauro Tete and Aymeric Autones won 9-8 (7) over UNK's Joey Richards (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Mohab El Zanaty (Egypt).

Five of the six singles matches were decided in straight sets, the exception being in the second position where Richards upset the 43rd-ranked Tete (6-4, 2-6, 10-7). Northwest was victorious at No. 1, 3, 5 and 6 singles where the allowed a total of 17 points.

El Zanaty (20-1) tallied UNK's other team point thanks to a 6-1, 6-3 win at No. 4 singles. The 'Cats will be heavy favorites in their final two MIAA duals, road contests at Emporia State (10-8, 1-2) and Lindenwood (4-11, 0-2).

Northwest managed to win on the women's side thanks to four singles victories. The 'Cats (14-6, 6-2) are ranked sixth in the Central Region with UNK fifth.  

Senior Kristin Weems (Arlington, Texas) and junior Paula Jimenez (Spain) improved to 20-4 after an 8-1 victory at No. 2 doubles with sophomore Sthefani Rodriguez (Venezuela) and sophomore Emily Fink (Elkhorn South H.S.) winning 8-5 in the top spot.

Jimenez (20-3) won in straight sets at No. 3 singles as did freshman Emma Neil (Papillion-LaVista H.S.) two spots lower in the lineup. However, the 'Cats took the other four matches.

At No. 2 singles, Lorena Rivas Jarolim rallied past Rodriguez (1-6, 6-3, 6-2) with Marianne Hull winning a close first set over Arizona senior Kari Emery at No. 6 singles, 7-6 (5), 6-3.

UNK hosts Doane College Monday afternoon at Harmon Park. That is the Lopers final regular season dual.