Huskers Earn 5-2 Win Over No. 75 Wichita State

Wichita, Kan. --- The Nebraska men's tennis team picked up its first victory of the season over a ranked opponent, as it earned a 5-2 win over No. 75 Wichita State Saturday at the Genesis Health Club. With the win, the Huskers improved to 2-1 on the season while the Shockers fell to 1-2.

Nebraska got off to a slow start, dropping all three doubles matches. The Huskers played two matches to within three points but could not come up with the point.

Despite the early losses, NU Coach Kerry McDermott was pleased with the overall effort, especially in NU's singles play.

"We struggled in doubles and we were disappointed. I talked with the team and told them we could still pull out the win, and they went out there and really competed well," McDermott said. "It was good to see us come back against a ranked team. It was a great team effort and everyone refused to quit when we were down. The bottom of our lineup really came through for us, and that is starting to look like a strength for us."

After falling behind 1-0 in the team score, Nebraska picked up five wins in six singles matches. Sophomore Gerhard Posch gave NU a lift at the No. 1 slot, earning a victory over Goran Vujaklija in a tight 7-6, 7-5, contest. Junior Jose Rivera, who had the best fall record of any Husker, continued to roll as he picked up a tough 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 victory over Carlo Contente at the No. 2 spot. Nebraska suffered its only singles loss at the No. 3 position, where Joerg Barthel fell to WSU's Marko Despot, 6-3, 6-1.

In the bottom of the order, newcomer James Clow, a freshman from South Africa, earned a 6-2, 6-4, victory over Gabriel Loredo at the No. 4 position, while senior Jeff Nabity held on for a 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 win over Boris Gubic at No. 5 singles. Junior Joel Reckewey rounded out the Husker victory with a straight-set 6-2, 6-3, victory over Juan Escalante.

Nebraska returns to action next weekend when it takes on No. 67 Western Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Noon.

Nebraska 5, No. 75 Wichita State 2
Wichita, Kan. -- Genesis Health Club

Doubles (WSU wins doubles point)
1. No. 34 Juan Escalante/Gabriel Loredo (WSU) def. Joel Reckewey/Justin Junck (NU), 8-6
2. Boris Gubic/Carlo Contente (WSU) def. Joerg Barthel/Jose Rivera (NU), 8-3
3. Marko Despot/Goran Vujaklija (WSU) def. James Clow/Gerhard Posch (NU), 8-5

Singles
1. Gerhard Posch (NU) def. Goran Vujaklija (WSU), 7-6, 7-5
2. Jose Rivera (NU) def. Carlo Contente (WSU), 6-4, 5-6, 7-6
3. Marko Despot (WSU) def. Joerg Barthel (NU), 6-3, 6-1
4. James Clow (NU) def. Gabriel Loredo (WSU), 6-2, 6-4
5. Jeff Nabity (NU) def. Boris Gubic (WSU), 6-3, 6-7, 6-4
6. Joel Reckewey (NU) def. Juan Escalante (WSU), 6-2, 6-3