The Nebraska Wesleyan men's tennis team opened the 2011 season by splitting two matches on Saturday (Jan. 29) in Pella, Iowa. The Prairie Wolves defeated Central College, 5-4, in the first match of the day, then fell 7-2 to Augustana (Ill.) College in match two.

NWU took two of three doubles matches in the victory over Central College, and that would prove to be the difference as the teams split singles matches with each team winning three.

Jamie Holmes & Nate Hoppe picked up a 9-8 victory at No. 1 doubles, with Mike Larsen/Drew Placek winning 8-5 at No. 2 doubles.

In singles play, NWU won their matches at No. 1, 2, & 3. Holmes was a 6-4, 6-3 winner at No. 1 singles, Hoppe won 6-1, 6-3 at No. 2 and Larsen earned a hard fought 4-6, 6-2, 11-9 win at No. 3 singles.

NWU found the second match of the day more difficult as they fell to 3-0 Augustana. The two victories for the Prairie Wolves came in singles play.

Hoppe improved to 2-0 with a 2-6, 6-2, 10-5 win at No. 2 singles. Larsen had his second straight three set match as he earned a 6-1, 2-6, 11-9 win.