EDMOND, Okla. - The Northwest Missouri State University women's tennis team advanced to the MIAA Tournament semifinals with a 4-0 victory over the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

The Bearcats (16-8 overall) knocked off the No. 5-seeded Lopers (11-10) to earn a matchup with the No. 1-seeded University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos Saturday.

The Bearcats got off to a good start in doubles play. Northwest's No. 2 duo of Vera Alenicheva and Tessa Kwakernaak scored a 6-3 win over UNK's Mia Sherikulova and Alexis Bernthal. The Bearcats secured the doubles' point with a thrilling 8-6 tiebreaker triumph at No. 3 doubles. Northwest's pairing of Tyffaine Pais and Julia Aliseda took down UNK's Masha Hatouka and Narinda Ranaivo, 7-6.

Northwest faced a stiff challenge in singles' action but was able to tally three wins to earn the dual triumph. Angelo per Moreno earned Northwest's first win at No. 6 singles with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Hatouka. Northwest's Julia Aliseda posted a 6-4, 6-4 win over Ranaivo at No. 3 singles.

Northwest's Carolina Lima De Oliveira closed out the dual win with a 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 win over UNK's Clare Plachy at No. 5 singles.

Northwest and UCO will battle Saturday at 10 a.m. in one of the MIAA Tournament's semifinal matchups.