TAHLEQUAH – Northeastern State opened its MIAA slate with a dominating 8-1 win over Nebraska-Kearney at home on Saturday afternoon.  The win for the RiverHawks (6-2, 1-0 MIAA) is their 39th straight in conference regular season play and nearly four years since their last MIAA blemish.
 
Northeastern State's lone loss of the day came on court three in doubles.  The RiverHawks' top-doubles pairing won 6-5 by retirement after a UNK injury handed them a 2-1 lead into singles.
 
The Lopers with the injury bumped up their lineup from the top and the RiverHawks made quick work on four courts by not allowing more than two wins in a set.  Mayra Jovic battled early in No. 3 singles to take set one 7-5, and she later would take the match 6-2 for her seventh straight win this spring.  Betka Gombarova completed the singles sweep for the RiverHawks needing three sets to win 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.
 
Nebraska-Kearney who opened the season 7-0, has lost its last three matches with the loss to the RiverHawks.
 
The RiverHawks continue their home stand on Saturday with an 11 a.m. first serve scheduled with Fort Hays State.
 
Singles competition
1. #23 Tatjana Stoll (NSU) def. Turarbek,Zhanel (UNK) 6-2, 6-2
2. Molly Worden (NSU) def. Sun,Yuxiu (UNK) 6-2, 6-2
3. Mayra Jovic (NSU) def. Alvarez,Amanda (UNK) 7-5, 6-2
4. Betka Gombarova (NSU) def. Neil,Emma (UNK) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1
5. Chantal Nosievici (NSU) def. Kowalski,Faith (UNK) 6-1, 6-0
6. Karla Tomaic (NSU) def. Neil,Claire (UNK) 6-2, 6-1
 
Doubles competition
1. #15 Tatjana Stoll/Molly Worden (NSU) def. Royo,Ana/Parnell,Camryn (UNK) 6-5, retired
2. Mayra Jovic/Karla Tomaic (NSU) def. Turarbek,Zhanel/Neil,Claire (UNK) 8-4
3. Sun,Yuxiu/Neil,Emma (UNK) def. Easton Parker/Chantal Nosievici (NSU) 8-6
 
Match Notes
Nebraska Kearney 7-3, 0-1 MIAA; Regional ranking #6
Northeastern State 6-2, 1-0 MIAA; National ranking #11; Regional ranking #2
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (5,6,1,2,3,4)