Kearney, Neb. – The 22nd-ranked Nebraska Kearney women's tennis team is the 10th-seed in the Sweet 16 and will face 21st-ranked and seventh-seed Azusa Pacific (Calif.) next Wednesday (May 21) in Florida. 

The NCAA announced the 16 seeds after regionals were completed yesterday. UNK (20-5) won Central Region #2 as the third seed while the Cougars (20-4) were the top seed in West Region #1. The Sweet 16 is at Sanlando Park in Altamone Springs and runs through May 25. 

This is a rematch of last year's Sweet 16 won by the Lopers, 4-1. UNK has become used to rematches as they faced Central Oklahoma three times this year and Washburn twice. In March, the Ichabods won at APU by a 4-3 score. The Lopers beat WU, 4-2, to advance to the Sweet 16 and also suffered a 4-3 setback to wU. The other common opponents are Metro State and Colorado Mesa; both APU and UNK beat those schools handily.

Azusa features the nation's 50th-ranked doubles team (Jordan/Bautista) while UNK led by Madagascar senior Narindra Ranaivo (#17 doubles; #35 singles), Venezuelan sophomore Fabiana Gamboa (#13 singles) and Zimbabwe sophomore Tanya Midzi (#17 doubles). Fans can follow along via live results. 

The UNK-APU winner advances to the Elite 8 to face either defending national champion Nova Southeastern (Fla.) or Slippery Rock (Pa.). That dual begins at 8 a.m. Central on May 22.