April 14, 2008

Banged Up Tennis Competes in Colorado

Loper Men, Women Short Handed

       Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams were busy over the weekend, playing Colorado Christian, Mesa State and Colorado State-Pueblo.

      The Loper men (11-3, 4-1 RMAC) easily dispatched of the Cougars, 9-0, and Thunderwolves, 8-1, but were upset by Mesa, 5-4. This is  UNK's only second regular season loss to an RMAC school over the last  four years.

      The UNK women (8-10, 2-3 RMAC), minus top players Mary Outhwaite and Kristen Messbarger due to injury, beat Christian, 6-1, but fell to Mesa, 7-2, and CSUP, 5-4.

      In the loss to Mesa, the Loper men fell at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles. The Mavericks then won at No. 2, 3 and 6 singles to claim the dual. Freshmen Felipe Espinosa, who has an 8-2 singles record, couldn't play  in the sixth position due to injury.

      Mesa's Nick Provenza provided a key win when he beat senior Andres Espinosa (7-5, 6-4) at No. 3 singles.

      On the women's side, UNK couldn't overcoming having to forfeit at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles. Against CSUP, the Lopers claimed wins in three singles matches and the team of Callie Erickson and Marcelle Strydom won 9-8 at No. 2 doubles.

      In the loss to a strong Mesa State squad, Erickson (Fremont) won at No. 4 singles (3-6, 6-0, 10-8) and she and Strydom again won at No. 2 doubles, 8-6.

      UNK is at Nebraska (men) tomorrow with the Loper women hosting Fort Hays State at 3:30 p.m. The dual will take place at Harmon Park.