Kearney, Neb. – The 10th-ranked Northeastern State RiverHawks rallied at number three doubles and took the top three singles matches to edge Nebraska-Kearney, 5-4, Friday evening at Harmon Park.

The top ranked team in the Central Region improves to 6-5 (1-0) while the Lopers fall to 4-4 (0-1). This was UNK's spring semester home opener.

NSU has been a thorn in UNK's side, winning all seven meetings since the two joined the MIAA. That includes victories in the 2015 and 2014 NCAA Tournaments.

The Lopers, ranked fifth in the Central, almost climbed the mountain today but NSU's number three doubles team of Karla Tomaic and Betka Gombarova rallied from a 5-2 hole to win 8-6. That gave the 'Hawks a 2-1 lead in the match.

Senior lefty Sthefani Rodriugez (Venezuela) and sophomore Sherry Sun (China) put UNK on the board with an 8-3 victory at No. 2 doubles.

Nationally-ranked Molly Worden (No. 1) and regionally-ranked Val Efimenko (No. 2) won their singles matches in straight sets. UNK had the match tied at four as Rodriguez (No. 5), Papillion junior Emma Neil (No. 4) and Missouri sophomore Camryn Parnell (No. 6) swept their NSU opponents in singles.

NSU freshman Caitlin McCullough, from Ireland, closed out the nearly four-hour dual with a three-set win at No. 3 singles (6-1, 3-6, 6-1).

UNK has to bounce back quickly as they face Central Oklahoma, ranked seventh in the Central, tomorrow afternoon. That match has been moved to Grand Island and will be played indoors beginning at 1:00 p.m.