March 10, 2008

Tennis Teams Go 4-0 This Weekend

Barton County Proves Toughest Foe

       Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams were busy this past weekend, each beating Nebraska Wesleyan, Concordia, Seward County C.C. (Kan) and Barton County C.C. (Kan.).

      All duals were held a the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney. The Loper women improve to 4-6 while the men, who hadn't played in a month, are now 6-0

      On the women's side, the Lopers blanked Seward (9-0), easily beat Concordia (8-1) and got by Wesleyan (6-3) and Barton (5-3). In the fall junior college rankings, Barton was ranked 9^th nationally and Seward 17^th.

      The UNK men beat Concordia and Wesleyan by 9-0 scores, then dominated Seward County (8-1). However, things were much tougher against Barton, 5-4.

      In the latest junior college rankings, Seward was eighth in the nation and Barton ninth.

      For the women, Holdrege freshman Marcelle Strydom edged Juilana Boas at No. 3 singles (6-0, 4-6, 10-4) to help UNK blank Seward. Against Concordia, UNK lost at No. 2 doubles but dominated the rest of the dual.

      Due to a nagging injury, Kearney sophomore Kristen Messbarger couldn't compete against Wesleyan, giving the Prairie Wolves two points. Wesleyan also won at No. 3 doubles.

      In the toughest match of the weekend, UNK won all three doubles matches to jump out to a 3-0 lead over Barton. Seniors McKenna Irwin (Bellevue) and Jenna Eichman (Hastings) then secured the dual win with wins at No. 4 and No. 5 singles.

      The UNK men almost needed a miracle to beat Barton. Losing at No 2 doubles (9-7) and No. 3 doubles (8-5), and medically forfeiting at No. 2 singles, the Lopers needed to win at No. 5 and No. 6 singles to win the dual.

      True freshmen Stefan Voigt (Red Wing, Minn.) Felipe Espinosa (Colombia) not only won but each did so in a third set tiebreaker. Voigt (No. 5) won 13-11 with Espinosa (No. 6) claiming a 10-8 win.

      This Saturday, UNK travels to Topeka, Kan. to face Washburn and Baker (Kan.). On Sunday, the team will face Winona State in Omaha.