Lopers rack up wins at ITA Central Regional

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney tennis teams won 30 combined matches this weekend at the ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) Central Regional in Edmond, Okla.

There were "main" and "Flight B" draws in both singles and doubles, with the main winners advancing to the ITA Singles/Doubles Championships Nov. 4-8 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The women's tourney was held Thursday-Saturday and the men's Fri./Sun. A number of at-large berths for Alabama are available to select players as well.

After a 2026 All-American season, senior Andy Brisdon (U.K.) and junior Ivan Melnik (Germany) had basically already secured a trip to Alabama but went 3-1 this weekend to reach the semifinals. They had a pair of 8-5 victories and then a tough 8-7 (7-3) decision over a pair from Southern Arkansas. Their path to the title match was thwarted by a team from Ouachita (Ark.) Baptist, 8-6.

Senior Julia Wartecka (Poland) and freshman Victoria Garcia (Brazil) almost punched their ticket to nationals by reaching the semis of the women's main doubles draw. They also had an 8-7 (7-5) decision in the second round, just getting past a seeded pair from Augustana. Another Augie team bested them in the final four, 8-5.

Also on the women's side, sophomore Hannah Klaiber (Germany) and freshman Kit Schrock (Kearney) won three times and were runners-up in Flight B doubles, with Klaiber reaching the main consolation quarters in singles. Next, sophomore Agustina Abdo (Ecuador) won her first two singles main matches to reach the quarters. Finally, Brisdon (quarters) and Melnik (consolation semis) each won three singles matches, freshman Lucas Vaisse (France) went 4-0 to reach the Flight B singles finals (not played), and senior Jakub Strzelecki (Poland) and Ilan Fuentes (France) won twice to reach the main doubles quarters.

The at-large bids to the Tuscaloosa Tennis Center will be announced early next week by the ITA.