Kearney, Neb. – The 21st-ranked Nebraska-Kearney men's tennis team opened the second semester with a 7-2 win over William Jewell (Mo.) College Friday evening at Harmon Park.

The Lopers improve to 4-0 while the Cardinals, from the Great Lakes Valley Conf. (GLVC), fall to 2-3.

This annual UNK-WJC meeting is usually held indoors but the nice weather allowed for an unheard of outside February dual. The Lopers controlled things despite sitting out three top players in seniors Lucas Garces and Mohab El Zanaty and junior Joey Richards.

In doubles, Spanish sophomores Alvaro Arias and Pepe Balado gave UNK a 1-0 match lead with an 8-1 win from the third spot. Veteran Georges Wakim (Egypt) teamed with junior Raul Rodriguez (Spain) to win 8-2 at No. 1 doubles and Kearney led 2-0.

Wakim, ranked 18th in the Central Region, was at No. 1 singles today and recorded a 6-0, 6-2 win over Amery Clews. Colorado senior Justin Nguyen, ranked 15th regionally, didn't allow a single point (6-0, 6-0) in beating Hayden Fulk at No. 5 singles.

UNK's other wins came in straight sets from Arias (No. 2), Rodriguez (No. 6) and Texas junior Aaron Reekie (No. 4).

The Lopers get two weeks off before heading South to face 15th-ranked Midwestern State, Texas (Feb. 24th) and 16th-ranked Cameron University, Okla. (Feb. 26th).