Men's Tennis | 4/25/2014 1:38:57 PM

Springfield, Mo. – In the opening round of the MIAA Men’s Tennis Championship Nebraska-Kearney knocked off Emporia State and Washburn upset Lindenwood.

UNK 5, ESU 1  
Nebraska-Kearney used a strong lower end of their singles to defeat Emporia State in the opening round the MIAA Men’s Tennis Tournament.

Things got started in doubles as the Hornet picked up a win at #1 as Diego Prudencio and Keenan Smith pulled out an 8-3 win over Yeswanth Nadella and Neto Cacace. The Lopers would answer though as Mohab Elzanaty and Lucas Garces came up with an 8-4 victory at #2 and Justin Nguyen and Fletcher Sheridan earned an 8-3 victory at #3 doubles.

In singles it started at the bottom end for UNK as Justin Nguyen defeated ESU’s Farhan Sadique 6-2, 6-1 in the #5 match. Jack Nicholson then earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Payton Hays in #6 singles.

Nebraska –Kearney advances to face second seed Southwest Baptist at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 from the Cooper Tennis Complex. Emporia State will face Lindenwood at 3 p.m. today in a consolation match.

WU 5, LWU 1
Washburn used a strong push in doubles to propel them to an upset victory over fourth seeded Lindenwood.

Washburn jumped out quick as they swept all three doubles matches. Arek Kozaczuk and Steven Fletcher earned an 8-4 victory at #1 doubles. Bobby Florence and Chance Joost picked up an 8-5 victory at #2 and Thilo Schlenker and Marko Keulers won 9-7 in the #3 match.

As things moved to singles Lindenwood quickly grabbed a point back as Yoshi Ysa won 6-1, 6-0 at #3 over Thilo Schlenker. Chance Joost would then capture a point for Washburn winning 6-3, 6-2 at #5 singles. Finally Steven Fletcher pulled out a 6-2, 7-5 victory at #6 to seal the win for the Ichabods.

Washburn will now face top seeded Northwest Missouri at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 from the Cooper Tennis Complex. Lindenwood will face Emporia State today at 3 p.m. in a consolation match.