Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams, after a long break, returned to action this weekend and split with the Augustana Vikings in Sioux Falls.
The Loper men (6-2) beat Augie,
8-1, on Sunday while the UNK women (7-2) fell to the Vikings
5-3 late Saturday night. Both Kearney squads, who last played three weeks ago, came in ranked sixth in the Central Region.
On the men's side, UNK made quick work of the Vikes (2-1). In doubles, newcomers
Dias Meiirbek (Kazakhstan) and
Sri Aakash Reddiyar (Malaysia) won 8-6 in the top spot with juniors
Pepe Balado (Spain) and
Johnnie Carmichael (England) rolling at number three, 8-1.
The Lopers won five of the six singles matches in straight sets with Carmichael at number four (6-4, 6-0) and Spanish freshman Alvaro Moerno at number six (6-2, 6-0) the most dominant. Minnesota senior
Joey Richards secured the dual with a tough win from the third spot in the lineup (7-6, 6-2).
Things were much tougher for the Loper women as the Vikings (11-1), ranked 10th in the Central, featured nationally-ranked Kornelia Staniszewska. The Polish junior came in ranked eighth in Division II singles.
She teamed with senior Berkey Darr to win 8-0 at number one doubles and then took her number one singles matches in straight sets (7-6, 6-1). Spanish sophomore
Ana Royo did force her to a tie breaker in that first single set.
Augie grabbed a 2-1 match lead thanks to an 8-5 win at number three doubles but UNK fought back to tie things at three. Spanish senior
Amanda Alvarez won at the fourth spot (6-3, 6-4) with Kazakhstan freshman Zhanel Turabek doing the same two spots higher in the lineup (6-1, 6-1).
However, the Vikings rallied to win at number three (2-6, 7-5, 6-2) and then won another close battle at number five (6-4, 7-6) to secure the dual victory. The number six singles match wasn't finished due to the late early morning hour.
Weather permitting, the UNK men host the Hastings College Broncos at Harmon Park this Thursday. First serve is set for 2 p.m. The Loper women have a tough road trip next weekend at No. 17 Central Oklahoma and No. 11 Northeastern State.
