Box Score SRPINGFIELD, Mo. – The Southern Arkansas University Men's Tennis team fell today to the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers by a final score of 4-1 in the first round of the MIAA/GAC Men's Tennis Championship Tournament.
 
Doubles play began as the men looked to knock off the number two seed in the North Division. Uwe Diehl and Jonas Sommer won at line two in dominant fashion 6-0 as SAU needed to win one more match to take the early doubles point. Lines one and three were both battles but the Muleriders fell at both as Balsa Djokovic and Taiki Minamino fell at line three 6-2 followed by Lucas Nitzschke and Frode Neumann falling at line one 6-4. After the doubles matches were complete, Nebraska-Kearney took a 1-0 lead.
 
Singles play began as the Muleriders looked to come from behind. Taiki Minamino fell at line six singles (1-6, 4-6) as the Lopers took a 2-0 lead. Jonas Sommer got the Muleriders on the board winning at line five in straight sets (7-6, 6-2). The battles for the Muleriders continued as lines one through four all went to three sets. After winning his first set at line two, Lucas Nitzschke lost in the third set (6-3, 2-6, 2-6) as Kearney took a 3-1 lead. The Lopers clinched the match at line one as Frode Neumann fell in the third set (2-6, 6-2, 6⁵, 7⁷). Lines three and four did not finish as the teams played to clinch. At the time of clinch, Balsa Djokovic was in his third set at line four (6-4, 4-6, 0-3). Uwe Diehl was also battling at line three in the third set (7-5, 3-6, 2-3).
 
The Muleriders will now watch the Division II Men's Tennis Selection show as they hope to be selected for the Central Region Tournament.