DENVER – The MSU Denver tennis teams will get a first-hand look at some high-quality competition this weekend in a three-dual swing through Kansas and Missouri.
 
The Roadrunners play Northwest Missouri State on Friday at 6 p.m. CST, play at Washburn (Kan.) on Saturday at 1 p.m. CST, and then square off with William Jewell (Mo.) on Sunday at 9 a.m. CST.
 
The Northwest Missouri State men are ranked No. 20 in Division II by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and the Bearcats' women are No. 16. Washburn's men are No. 15 and its women's team is No. 9.
 
The MSU Denver men picked up what appeared to be a huge 4-3 win at then-No. 16 Northwest Missouri State last season, though that was all but ignored when it came time to seed teams for the Pacific West Conference Tournament. The Bearcats eventually advanced to the round of 16 in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
 
Northwest Missouri State likely hasn't forgotten last year's result and figures to be ready for the Roadrunners in the somewhat neutral-site match in St. Joseph, Mo.
 
MSU Denver, led by its top-three troika of Jeanloup Auzias (career 42-17 in singles), Juho Kantola (27-9 at MSU Denver) and Alejandro Jimenez (36-15), is 3-1 in duals this season.
 
The Roadrunners' women are 1-4, including a 7-0 setback against then-No. 22 Augustana (S.D.) two weeks ago.
 
Emily Hafner is 11-7 this season, which included her strong run to the second round of the ITA Cup last fall. The Roadrunners have an experienced cast of players, and their depth throughout the lineup should pay dividends as the season progresses.