Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney tennis teams began the 2026-27 season by winning 26 matches at the annual Augustana Invitational this past weekend in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The two-day event featured multiple singles and doubles brackets with the Vikings, Mary (women), Minnesota State (women), Emporia State (women), Sioux Falls (women), Division III Gustavus Adolphus (men), and Division I members Creighton and South Dakota being the competition.

On the men's side, freshman Luca Klaiber (Germany) was runner up in third flight singles with a 2-1 mark while senior Andy Brisdon (U.K.) reached the third-place match (not played) in flight one. Next, both senior Jakub Strzelecki (Poland) and Ilan Fuentes (France) reached the third-place match in flight two and that also wasn't contested. In doubles, UNK had two pairs finish fourth including Fuentes and Strzelecki (flight one).

Sophomore Hannah Klaiber (Germany) led the women by going 3-0 to win flight five singles. She won each match in straight sets and bested players from USF, USD, and Augie. Next, junior Julia Wartecka (Poland) was runner up in flight three with sophomore Augustina Abdo (Ecuador) doing the same in flight seven. Finally, newcomer Victoria Garcia (Brazil) was third in flight one singles and teamed with Wartecka to be fourth in flight one doubles.

UNK heads next to the Washburn Invitational Sept. 18-19.