Loper Athletics
KEARNEY – The 29th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney women’s tennis team breezed by Fort Hays State, 7-0, Wednesday evening in Kansas.
The Lopers (14-4, 5-1), now ranked third in the all-important NCAA Region rankings, have a tough slate to finish up the regular season. They’ll face four Top 40 ranked teams over the next two weeks in Southern Arkansas, Southeastern Oklahoma, Washburn and Northwest Missouri.
To beat the Tigers (6-11, 0-6) for the 12th straight time since 2012, UNK allowed just seven combined points in doubles and recorded five singles wins in straight sets. At five singles, Colorado junior Alexis Bernthal outlasted Fiorella Mendez (6-1, 4-6, 12-10) with Venezuela freshman Fabiana Gamboa rolling at two (6-2, 6-0). Finally, 45th-ranked Melisa Becerra (Colombia) and Narinda Ranaivo (Madagascar) won 6-1 at one doubles, pushing their overall mark to 17-1.
Weather permitting, the Lopers will battle the Muleriders and Savage Storm this weekend in Edmond.
