Kearney, Neb. – The 18th-ranked Northeastern State women's tennis team won five singles matches to beat Nebraska-Kearney, 7-2, Friday afternoon in Broken Arrow, Okla.

This was the MIAA opener for both.

The RiverHawks (6-2) have become a thorn in the Lopers (7-2) side. NSU beat UNK three times last season, including in the NCAA Tournament. In 2014, the 'Hawks also eliminated Kearney in NCAA regional play.  

Tonight, junior southpaw Sthefani Rodriguez (Venezuela) and freshman Sherry Sun (China) got Kearney on the board with an 8-3 win at No. 2 doubles. However, NSU won 9-7 at No. 3 doubles to grab a 2-1 lead heading into singles.

There, Missouri freshman Camryn Parnell won in the fourth spot after her NSU foe retired. She had lost her first set 7-6 (6). NSU took the other five singles matches in straight sets.

On Saturday, UNK faces Central Oklahoma.