April 16, 2008

Women's Tennis Beats Hays, Men Fall to 'Huskers

Lopers Host RMAC's Next Weekend

       Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams split on Tuesday afternoon, the women beating Fort Hays State at Harmon Park, 6-3, and the men falling to Nebraska in Lincoln, 8-1.

      The women are now 8-10 with the men currently 11-4.

      At Harmon, the Loper women swept all three doubles matches and won at No. 2, 4 and 6 singles.      

      Continuing to battle injuries, sophomore Kristen Messbarger (Kearney Catholic) didn't play in the dual with No. 1 singles player Mary Outhwaite (W. Australia) retiring after winning her first set at No. 1 singles. Finally, Fremont junior Callie Erickson won at No. 2 doubles, with freshman Marcelle Strydom (Holdrege), but had to forfeit her singles match.

      UNK is hoping to be a full strength when the RMAC Championships come to Kearney next weekend (April 25-26).

      On the men's side, the Lopers faced the 'Huskers for the second straight year. The regionally-ranked doubles team of seniors William Jacome (Miami, Fla.) and Andres Espinosa (Colombia) won in the No. 1 spot, 8-4, but that is all UNK could muster.

      Both Jacome and freshman Felipe Espinosa (Colombia) did lose their singles matches by 6-2, 6-3 scores.

      UNK is scheduled to play St. Cloud State this Sunday in Omaha.