CONWAY — The Central Arkansas tennis team brought an end to its long Southland Conference losing streak on Friday, rolling to a 6-1 victory over McNeese State to end a five-year drought.

The win was the first in conference play for the Sugar Bears (7-12, 1-6 Southland) since winning at McNeese (3-13, 1-7) on March 10, 2007, and marks their first-ever Southland victory at their home courts. The 6-1 victory is also the largest margin of victory in a Southland match ever for the Sugar Bears.

By reaching seven wins, the Sugar Bears have tied their win total for the previous three seasons combined, having won one last year, two in 2010 and four in 2009. The seven wins are the most in a season for UCA since moving to Division I, and one more would double the previous high of four – reached in each of the first three Division I seasons (2007-09).

The Sugar Bears swept doubles on Friday, with Allison Hartman/Allison Murphy defeating Tea Tvrtkovic/Anastasia Surkova 8-2, Simona Horsikyan/Kazumi Otani beating Lara Pujol/Marcella Castaldi 8-3, and Sasha Ruocco/Kristina Horsikyan overwhelming Andreea Nenu/Diana Pirciu 8-2.

UCA nearly swept singles play as well, taking five of six.

In No. 3 singles, Kristina Horsikyan nearly shut out Surkova, winning 6-0, 6-1. Ruocco also turned in a dominant effort against Castaldi, scoring a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 5.

At No. 1, Simona Horsikyan defeated Tvrtkovic 6-2, 1-6, 6-1. Allison Murphy won in straight sets with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Pujol at No. 2. In No. 6 singles, Otani followed suit by besting Nenu 6-3, 7-6. McNeese won at No. 4 with Pirciu defeating Allison Hartman 6-4, 6-1.

The Sugar Bears will play at home in each of the next two days, hosting Lamar on Saturday at Noon and playing their final home match of the season on Sunday against UMKC at 10 a.m. They will then wrap up their regular season on the road at Nicholls and Southeastern on April 14 and 15.

Full Match Stats