Kearney, Neb.  – The 19th-ranked Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm won four singles matches to beat 20th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney, 5-3, in an NCAA Tournament dual Tuesday evening at Harmon Park.

The second seed in the Central Region, SEOSU (16-2) advances to the NCAA "Sweet 16" where they'll face 14th-ranked Midwestern State of Texas next Wednesday in Denver. The third-seeded Lopers, in the NCAA's for a 14th time in school history, end at 19-4.

"We knew we were going to have to play well in both singles and doubles in order to advance," said UNK head coach Jake Saulsbury. "We definitely had a good showing in doubles. We stepped up when we needed to at the number one position and got a big win." 

On Sunday in Tahlequah, Okla., the Savage Storm women's team rallied from a 2-1 deficit to beat the Lopers, 5-4, in an NCAA first round dual. That same scenario played today as the Lopers came from behind to win at No. 1 doubles to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Sophomore Joey Richards (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and Aaron Reekie (Houston, Texas) scored eight of the final nine points to roll at No. 3 doubles, 8-2. The No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches then had to be decided with SEOSU leading both by 5-4 scores.  

Junior Justin Nguyen (Louisville, Colo.) and sophomore Georges Wakim (Egypt) managed to come back in the top spot, winning 8-6. The Savage Storm had won at No. 2 doubles, 8-5, to briefly tie the team score.

All five singles matches that were completed ended in straight sets. SEOSU struck first, winning 6-1, 6-4 at No. 4 singles. Nguyen tried to rally at No. 3 singles but fell to Englishman Jack Gibbens, 6-3 & 7-5.

Wakim dominated senior Tiago Ferreira at No. 5 singles (6-3, 6-1) to win for the 16th time in 2016 and tie the team score at three. In the second spot, junior Mohab Elzanaty (Egypt) scored the last three points of the second set to stay alive at No. 2 singles (4-6, 7-5).

However, just minutes apart, senior Max Fil (No. 1/7-5, 6-3) and junior Petar Popovic (No. 6/6-4, 6-2) won in straight sets to secure the dual for SEOSU. Popovic's win was the clincher.  

"We thought each singles matches could go either way. Looking at the match ups, you couldn't find favor for either team," said Saulsbury. "We had a few loose points here and there in some critical moments. That was the difference in some of those close sets."

UNK had only one senior on its 10-player roster in Texas Fletcher Sheridan. The Loper varsity lineup was made up of three juniors, three sophomores and a freshman.

"It's a bitter ending to a great season. The guys have done a nice job all year, dating back to the early fall," said Saulsbury. "When you get into these big matches, you're either going to be celebrating at the end or you're going to have learn and grow from it. That's what we're going to have to do; pick ourselves up and go back to work."