September 27, 2006

Tennis Begins 2006-07 Season

Lopers in Wichita

            Kearney, Neb. –  The Nebraska-Kearney tennis team has recently begun its 2006-07 season by playing in several fall tournaments.

            The Loper women were at the Wilson/ITA North Central championships this past weekend (Sept. 22-23) in Wichita, Kans. The two-day event was hosted by Washburn U.

            In singles, freshman Kristen Messbarger easily beat Megan Hertz of Winona State (6-2, 6-4). The former Kearney Catholic star then fell to sixth-seeded Natalie Villaflor of Emporia State (6-2, 6-1).

            Another newcomer picked up a win as Texas redshirt freshman Claire Bryan swept Melanie Rockne of South Dakota (6-4, 6-4). In the next round, she fell to Kelsey Montgomery of Upper Iowa (6-1, 6-0)

            Finally in singles, Fremont sophomore Callie Erickson lost to Audrie Miller of Washburn (6-0, 6-1).

            In doubles, Bryan and Messbarger lost to Lina Gomez and Veronica Castilla of NW Missouri State (8-6) while sophomore Autumn Trimble and freshman Kara Deyle -- both Kearney High graduates -- fell to MaryAnne Talbott and Kris Marten of Fort Hays State (8-4).

            On Sept. 8-9, both UNK teams played in the Wichita Intercollegiate Tournament.

            Freshmen Tony Lopez (Omaha Central) was the Lopers' lone champion on the weekend as he win the men's G flight thanks to a hard fought victory over Andy Jeffery of Seward C.C. (Kans.) in the finals (6-4, 5-7, 10-6).

            Redshirt freshman Akihiro Sakai (Shibauta Kogyo, Japan) advanced to the finals of flight F where he lost to Charlie Salter of Seward (7-5, 6-2).

            Also, Columbus sophomore Jason Lescelius (D flight) and Omaha freshman Drew Mercier (C flight) lost in the second round.

            The women saw Trimble win twice in the E flight before losing in the consolation finals. Bellevue junior McKenna Irwin made it to the D flight finals before losing to Audrey Sherman of Emporia State (6-1, 6-1).

            Finally, Erickson lost in the second round of the C flight to Danielle Carter of Baker U. (6-3, 5-7, 10-8)

            UNK will compete in several more tournaments in October.