HAMMOND, La. — Central Arkansas closed out the most successful tennis season of its Division I history on Sunday as the Sugar Bears defeated Southeastern Louisiana 5-2. The win gives UCA eight for the season and two in Southland Conference play, the highest totals in their six years in the league.
In their first season under head coach Jeff Borengasser, the Sugar Bears jump from just one total win a year ago and recorded their first two Southland victories since 2007, winning multiple matches in Southland competition for the first time. The eight wins double the previous best of four, set in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Against the Lady Lions, the Sugar Bears nearly swept singles – taking five of six – after coming up empty in doubles.
Sophomore Simona Horsikyan defeated Audrey Chelini 6-2, 7-6 (11-9) in No. 1 singles for her eighth singles victory on the year. Freshman Allison Murphy won 6-0, 1-0 after Lauara Verges retired, making Murphy 8-7 at No. 2 singles for the season.
Freshman Kristina Horsikyan extended her singles winning streak to six, disposing of Morgane Dadot 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. Horsikyan finishes the season 12-4 at No. 3 and 13-9 overall in singles.
Sophomore Sasha Ruocco scored a 6-4, 6-3 win over Morgane Charpenne at No. 5 for her third straight singles win and giving her 10 for the season.
Junior Kazumi Otani finishes her season 11-8 in singles play after a 7-5, 7-5 win over Isabel Brito.
In her UCA finale, senior Allison Hartman came up short against Adriana Castillo, taking a 6-3, 6-3 loss.
FULL RESULTS
Singles competition
1. Horsikyan, Simona (UCA) def. Audrey Chelini (SLU) 6-2, 7-6 (11-9)
2. Murphy, Allison (UCA) def. Laura Verges (SLU) 6-0, 1-0, retired
3. Horsikyan, Kristina (UCA) def. Morgane Dadot (SLU) 6-1, 2-6, 6-2
4. Adriana Castillo (SLU) def. Hartman, Allison (UCA) 6-3, 6-3
5. Ruocco, Sasha (UCA) def. Morgane Charpenne (SLU) 6-4, 6-3
6. Otani, Kazumi (UCA) def. Isabel Brito (SLU) 7-5, 7-5
Doubles competition
1. Adriana Castillo/Laura Verges (SLU) def. Hartman, Allison/Murphy, Allison (UCA) 8-5
2. Morgane Charpenne/Morgane Dadot (SLU) def. Horsikyan, Simona/Otani, Kazumi (UCA) 8-6
3. Isabel Brito/Audrey Chelini (SLU) def. Horsikyan, Kristina/Ruocco, Sasha (UCA) 8-2
