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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Emma
UNK Athletics
2
Carleton College CAR (11-2)
7
Winner Nebraska Kearney UNKMEN (11-2)
Carleton College CAR
(11-2)
2
Final
7
Nebraska Kearney UNKMEN
(11-2)
Winner
2
Carleton College CAR (5-3)
7
Winner Nebraska Kearney UNKWOMEN (10-4)
Carleton College CAR
(5-3)
2
Final
7
Nebraska Kearney UNKWOMEN
(10-4)
Winner
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Winner Nebraska Kearney UNKWOMEN (11-4)
3
SCAD Savannah SCADW (8-2)
Winner
Nebraska Kearney UNKWOMEN
(11-4)
6
Final
3
SCAD Savannah SCADW
(8-2)

Match Recap: Men's Tennis |

Lopers Go 3-0 on Day 1 of S.C. Trip; Men Now 18th, Women 37th Nationally

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney tennis team started its annual Spring Break trip on a strong note as the Lopers defeated Division III Carleton (Minn.) College by identical 7-2 scores Wednesday in Hilton Head, S.C.

Previously scheduled duals with Division II power Augusta (Ga.) University were canceled but the women managed to add NAIA power Savannah (Ga.) College of Art & Design to its schedule. The Lopers (11-4) stung the SCAD Bees, 6-3, Wednesday night.

Also on Wednesday, the latest ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Division II national rankings were released and the UNK men (11-2) are now 18th. That is the highest national ranking in program history, besting the No. 19 rating back in March 2016. Individually, senior Joey Richards (Eden Prairie, Minn.) and freshman Alberto Diaz (Spain) are D2's 12th-ranked doubles team. After an 8-4 win today, the duo is 12-0 playing at number two in the line up.

On the women's side, UNK is ranked 37th, its highest ranking since being 42nd back in May 2009. While she's currently on the disabled list, sophomore Ana Royo (Spain) is 36th in singles. The 2017 MIAA Freshman of the Year is slated to return to action in April.

Against the Carleton Knights (11-2), the Loper men led 2-1 after doubles as freshman Sri Aakash Reddiyar (Malaysia) and Dias Meiirbek (Khazikstan) won 8-6 at number one.

Straight set singles wins by Richards (No. 5/6-2, 6-1) and juniors Pepe Balado (No. 2/6-0, 6-1) and Johnnie Carmichael (No. 3/6-3, 6-1) secured the team win. For good measure, Meiirbek (No. 4) and Diaz (No. 6) won third-set tie breakers to take their matches.

The CC women (5-3) came in ranked 39 in D3 but lost 8-4 at both number one and three doubles. UNK is now 11-3 overall at number three after junior Sherry Sun (China) and freshman Claire Neil (Papillion) won by four. This pair is 3-2 at this spot in duals.

In singles, senior Emma Neil (No. 4/6-4, 6-1) and freshmen Faith Kowalski (No. 5/6-2, 6-2) and Zhanel Turarbek (No. 1/6-1, 6-2) won in straight sets to clinch. Like on the men's side, the Lopers won the final two matches in three sets.

Against SCAD (8-2), ranked fourth in the NAIA, UNK led 3-0 after doubles. Turarbek and junior Camryn Parnell (Lee's Summit, Mo.) bested won 9-7 over their SCAD counterparts. That duo is ranked 11th in the NAIA.

The Bees came back a bit as they won three of the first four completed singles matches. However, senior Amanda Alvarez (Spain) rallied past Johanna Weber in three sets (2-6, 6-3, 12-10) at number three with the younger Neil winning in straight sets (6-4, 6-2) to clinch the dual. Weber came in ranked 48th in the NAIA. Finally, Sun outlasted the NAIA's 42nd-ranked player in Valeria Droop by winning in three sets at number two (4-6, 6-4, 11-9).

Both Kearney teams are slated to face Division II Erskine (SC) College Saturday morning.
 
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