UNK tennis programs benefit from international talent

KEARNEY, Neb. -- The University of Nebraska at Kearney tennis programs are benefiting from its diverse talent. 

The UNK women's team has an 11-3 record and the men's team is 11-6 in its first season back on campus. Scott Shafer coaches both teams and thinks he knows one of the reasons for their success.

“It’s great coaching young women, men from all over because they bring different perspectives and you know we live in a country that I think it’s pretty diverse," Shafer said. "And yes, I do things a certain way, but having someone on the team who has done something differently or explain to her, looked at differently, makes me better at coaching.”

Seven of the 10 players on the women’s tennis team are from seven different countries. They hail from as far as Venezuela, Belarus, and Madagascar. Eight of the nine players on the men’s team are internationals from Australia, Ukraine and Poland. 

Shafer says having international players is great for the school and for the community.

The men’s team is getting ready for a game at Creighton on Sunday. The women's team is traveling to Oklahoma this weekend.