Kearney, Neb. – The 18th-ranked Southwest Baptist Bearcats women's tennis team reached the MIAA Tournament finals after a 5-1 win over Nebraska-Kearney Saturday afternoon in Springfield, Mo.

The third-seeded Lopers (18-6) beat Missouri Western State, 5-2, in Friday's quarterfinals but couldn't get past perennial power SBU (21-3).  The second-seeded 'Cats have now won 12 in a row and face top-seed and No. 11 Northeastern State Sunday in the title match.

Earlier this year in Bolivar, Mo., the Lopers fell to SBU by an 8-1 score. In that setback, senior Paula Jimenez (Spain) and sophomore Emma Neil (Papillion) were beaten 8-4 by Zorana Jovanovic and Klara Vickov at No. 3 doubles.

Jimenez and Neil got their revenge as they rolled to an 8-4 victory today, pushing their season mark to 12-4. However, UNK wasn't as fortunate in the other doubles matches, dropping both by 8-1 scores. SBU then went at No. 2 and No. 6 singles in straight sets to secure the dual.

At No. 1 singles, Chinese freshman Sherry Sun pushed 31st-ranked Christina Zenati before falling 7-5 in the first set. That match went unfished with Zenati up 1-0 in the second set.

UNK should make the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year; the women's selection show is available at www.ncaa.com on Tuesday (May 3rd) at 7:30 p.m. Central.