Kearney, Neb. – The nationally-ranked Southwest Baptist tennis teams swept Nebraska-Kearney on Friday afternoon, winning 5-4 (men) and 8-1 (women) in Bolivar.
 
This was the first setback for the 21st-ranked men (12-1, 0-1) with 31st-ranked SBU, a longtime national power, improving to 7-5 (1-0). Last year, UNK beat the Bearcats in the regular season, 5-4, and in the MIAA Tournament, 5-0. These were the Lopers first-ever wins over SBU.
 
On the women's side, the 11th-ranked 'Cats are now 10-3 (2-1) with the Lopers slipping to 11-4 (3-2).
 
The men's dual saw Kearney trail 2-1 after doubles as SBU won 8-6 and 8-5 in the top two spots in the lineup.
 
Junior Mohab El Zanaty (Egypt) managed to win his third set, 6-3, to take his No. 3 singles match. Sophomore Joey Richards (Eden Prairie, Minn.) also won his first set but needed to win in the third, 6-4, to be victorious at No. 4 singles.
 
UNK then tied the dual at four after junior Lucas Garces (Spain) won in straight sets, 7-6 and 6-4, at No. 6 singles. However, SBU scored five of the last six points to win in straight sets at No. 5 singles, 6-4 and 7-6.
 
Finally, Papillion sophomore Emma Neil scored Kearney's lone point in the women's dual, winning in straight sets at No. 5 singles (6-2, 6-1). She is now a team-best 14-1 and riding a six-match win streak.
 
A busy week concludes Sunday afternoon in Harmon Park when Northwest Missouri State visits. The Bearcat men are ranked 16th nationally with the women ranked eighth in the region.
 
First serve is set for 2:00 p.m.