He earned it, as he won the prize-money Lincoln Cup tennis tournament. He could use it, as he is a typical, hard-for-cash college senior. He won't get it, as he is also a member of the Nebraska tennis team, and it's a big no-no to accept money.

Clow believes that he will get his 1,000 bucks.

"Maybe it's more of an incentive," said Clow, a native of Durban, South Africa. "Maybe if I finish college, I can start winning more events and actually start taking the winnings, which would be nice."

Clow's determination helped him edge University of Nebraska at Kearney coach and former Creighton player Jesse Plote 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-1) in the finals on Monday at Woods Tennis Center.

"He refuses to lose," said Rick Stempson, the NU men's assistant coach.

"He has so much pride, and he's one of these guys who probably doesn't have the most talent, but you always know you can count on him to come through in the end because he has a huge heart."

Clow's determination helped him rally in both sets.

Plote was serving for the first set leading 5-4, when Clow broke Plote's serve, and Clow won the tiebreaker. Plote was serving for the second set leading 5-3, when Clow again broke Plote's serve and claimed the tiebreaker. Throughout, Clow pressured Plote with groundstrokes.

"James stepped up and won the match," said Plote, who earned $500. "He hit some big shots when he needed to and that was the difference. I can't say that I didn't have my chances."

Stempson and doubles partner Fungai Tongoona made the most of their chances.

Tongoona, a former NU player and Woods Tennis Center pro who returned to Lincoln from a tennis pro job in Texas, and Stempson prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in the doubles final over Dave Treichel and Scott Broady, the current Woods pro.

"It was long," said Stempson, who split $500 with Tongoona for the victory. "We've played these guys so many times that if we played 10 times, eight of them would go to a third-set tiebreaker."

Clow's determination, meanwhile, should help him in the future.

He hopes to play in the top three of NU's six-man singles lineup. He hopes to play professionally. He hopes to get his money.

"It's something I want to think about," Clow said. "It's such a tough profession, playing tennis. I love it. For me, it would be a dream to travel and see the world and play tournaments. It's a dream. If I keep working hard and getting results, who knows?"

Hjermstad, Faulk win titles

Erik Hjermstad and Rachel Faulk won open division singles titles Monday at the Nebraska Adult Open.

Hjermstad, a former Nebraska Wesleyan player, defeated Noel Hoig 6-7 (2-7), 6-1, 7-6 (8-6) in the men's final.

Faulk, who plays at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, topped Mavs teammate Maggie Russell 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in the women's final.

In the men's open division doubles final, University of Nebraska at Kearney teammates Luke Backhaus and Drew Mercier defeated Scott Veitzer and Hjermstad 2-6, 6-3, 7-5.

In the women's open division doubles championship, Jennifer Allison, a former College of St. Mary player, and Lindsay Henjum, a former UNO player, topped Lee Cooney and another former Mav, Bridgette Komasincki, 6-2, 6-3.