Mesa State and Neb.-Kearney played each other Saturday afternoon in the final of the NCAA Division II Central Region bracket and the right to advance to the National Tournament (16 teams) in Altamonte Springs, Florida, hosted by the Central Florida Sports Commission and Rollins College, May 13-16.
The Lopers took 2 of 3 doubles matches and posted three singles victories to clinch the dual match 5-3. MSC’s No. 2 doubles team of Kaitlan and Kelleen Sera defeated UNK’s No. 2 team 8-6. The Lopers won 8-3 and 8-6 at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles respectively.
UNK’s No. 1 singles player and RMAC Player of the Year, Mary Outhwaite clinched the dual in a 3 set match over MSC’s Kate Lowder 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. UNK took a 3-1 lead with a straight set win at No. 2 singles but he Mavericks closed the gap to 2-3 with a victory at No. 3 singles. MSC’s No. 3, Renee Demianew beat UNK’s Marcelle Strydom in 3 lop-sided sets, 6-1, 1-6, 6-1. At No. 6 singles UNK posted a 6-4, 6-4 win and a 4-2 dual lead. Kaitlan Sera’s 3-set win at No. 4 (6-1, 2-6, 7-5) moved the Mavs to 3-4 with two matches remaining.
UNK’s Outhwaite sealed the victory moments later at No. 1. MSC’s No. 5, Kelleen Sera was leading in the third set (7-6, 0-6, 4-2) when the match was called.
MSC’s season comes to an end with the loss. The Mavs finish the year as RMAC regular season champion and an 18-4 overall record and undefeated (8-0) league record.
Neb.-Kearney 5
Mesa State 3