KEARNEY, Neb. -- Northeastern State will return home from its longest road trip of the season riding a four-match winning streak downing Nebraska-Kearney 5-2 Sunday.

The RiverHawks also opened MIAA play 2-0 and are now 6-4 on the season following their 14th consecutive win over the Lopers, who fall to 3-8 overall.

"It was a good team win, we had to fight, we didn't have our best tennis, but we had to scrap, and we won," said head coach Tim McLane.  "At the end of the day, we are 2-0 in the conference." 

The RiverHawks swept the Lopers in doubles but be a close battle after a 6-3 win on the main court. Belinda Jayaprakash and Maria Popova clinched a 7-5 victory on 3s to take the 1-0 match lead. Vera Carvalho and Melissa Vera needed a tiebreaker but pulled off a 7-6 (3) win. 

In singles, NSU took three straight courts to clinch the overall match point quickly over the Lopers.  Vera Carvalho won in 5s, 6-3, 6-2 for the match clincher.  On court two, Maria Popova took her fourth singles match in a two, 6-1, 6-4 over her UNK counterpart. 

Northeastern State returns home to host Northwest Missouri and Washburn this Friday and Saturday.