Loper Tennis NCAA Ticket Scanned, Head to Arkansas

The Nebraska Kearney men's tennis team, in its third year back as a program, has qualified for the NCAA Tournament for an 18th time.

The 38th-ranked Lopers (16-7) are the third seed in the Central Regional and will take on 35th-ranked and second seed Harding (16-6) May 11 or May 12 in Searcy, Ark. The winner advances to the "Sweet 16" May 19-24 in Surprise, Ariz.

A total of 48 teams qualify for NCAA play across D2's eight regions. There are 16 regional host sites; the NCAA format will greatly change in men's tennis next year.

These two have met three times since last April with HU taking each dual. Last week at the MIAA Tournament in Springfield, Mo., the Bison posted a 4-1 victory over the Lopers. UNK was ahead in the two unfinished matches and took the doubles point.

The 11th-ranked and top seeded Washburn Ichabods host Central Region #1 and will face the winner of fourth seed Northwest Missouri and fifth seed Ouachita (Ark.) Baptist.

UNK is 6-17 all-time in the NCAA's, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2005, 2006, 2011 and 2012. The Lopers are aiming for their first NCAA win since a 5-3 decision over Metro State at Harmon Park back in 2012.