Huskers Fall to 0-4 in Big 12 Conference

Lincoln -- Despite the 7-0 loss to No. 14 Texas, the Nebraska men's tennis team (5-6 overall and 0-4 in Big 12) showed they could play with the top teams.

"I have been very pleased with our doubles action. Today we proved that we could play with the best," Nebraska men's tennis coach Kerry McDermott said.

The only Husker victory of the day came from No. 2 doubles. Jorge Abos Sanchez/Fungai Tongoona, beat No. 41 nationally ranked Jorge Haro/Brandon Hawk. Nebraska's No. 1 doubles, Kai Rieke/Andrew Wiese, built a 6-3 lead against the Texas' No. 2 doubles in the nation, Michael Blue/Nick Crowell, before losing five sets in a row to lose the game, 8-6. All five Husker singles were beat in straight sets.

McDermott is not giving up on his team just yet. "We must battle back and not give up. This Sunday we need to get back on the winning side against Southwest Missouri State," he said.

Nebraska took another loss on Saturday in their conference match against Kansas. In a fall against the Jayhawks, senior Juan Hamdan broke his ankle sidelining him for the rest of the year. He joins junior Lance Mills on the injured list.

The Huskers will return to action in yet another home match against Southwest Missouri State on Sunday, March 19 at the Woods Tennis Center at noon.

Nebraska (5-6 overall, 0-4 Big 12)		0
Texas (10-2 overall, 2-0 Big 12)		7
Singles
Players		Score
No. 1	Brandon Hawk (TU) def. Jorge Abos Sanchez (NU)	6-1, 6-1
No. 2	Nick Crowell (TU) def. Kai Rieke (NU)	6-3, 7-5
No. 3	Michael Blue (TU) def. Adnan Hadzialic (NU)	6-4, 6-3
No. 4	Jean Simon (TU) def. Fungai Tongoona (NU)	6-4, 6-3
No. 5	Craig Edmondson (TU) def. Andrew Wiese (NU)	6-3, 6-0
No. 6	Jorge Haro (TU) def. Ryan Haith (NU)	6-3, 6-3
Doubles
Players		Score
No. 1	Crowell/Blue (TU) def. Rieke/Wiese (NU)	8-6
No. 2	Abos Sanchez/Tongoona (NU) def. Haro/Hawk	8-5
No. 3	Ron Kloppert/Stephen Patak (TU) def. Haith/Hadzialic	8-1