Conway – The Central Arkansas tennis team played their second match in as many days on Sunday, hosting the New Orleans Privateers. The Bears completed the weekend sweep, taking down UNO 4-3.
For the seventh time in eight matches, the Bears (7-1, 2-1 SLC) grabbed an early lead by winning the doubles point. Kelsey Williams and Allison Murphy pushed their winning-streak to eight matches, defeating Anja Luethi and Anna Segarra Rius 8-5 in the no. 2 match, while Kristina Horsikyan and Bianca Strukelj moved to 6-1 on the season with an 8-3 victory over Hafsa Laraibi and Yasmine Rashad. The Privateers (8-6, 2-3 SLC) took the no. 1 doubles match, with Marta Sans and Soledad Calderon defeating Nataly Yoo and Cassidy Crawford 8-3.
"Today was an absolute battle," said Central Arkansas head coach Casey Wharton. "The start time of the match was delayed because of the rain, so we were sitting around stiff and sore from yesterday's match, waiting for the courts to dry. And as a result, we struggled to find out timing and our energy, especially in the early part of the match. I knew we would need the double's point, not only for momentum, but because so many of our players have been physically beat up and tired from yesterday's match, injuries and illness. Despite the slow start, we were able to get control and clinch the doubles point by winning at three doubles and then our two seniors, Kelsey and Allison, came through to clinch it for us. They stepped up big and put us in front."
In singles play, the Bears secured the victory, taking three of six matches. In the no. 1 match, Yoo took down Calderon in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1, and in the no. 3 match, Horsikyan took down Sans 6-3, 7-5. Allison Murpny scored the win in the no. 4 match, taking down Segarra Ruis 7-6, 6-3. The Privateers, got wins in the no. 2 match, the no. 5 match, and no. 6 match.
"The singles matches were gritty," said Wharton. "The wind picked up, the sun stayed out, both teams were trying everything to get momentum; it was a battle. Nataly Yoo was brilliant at no. 1 singles, fighting an injury, but she found a way to get it done. And then Allison Murphy stepped up in singles again today; I'm finding out just how solid she really is. But the hero of today was Kristina Horsikyan. She may be quiet, and steadily does her best work even if nobody is watching, but today she did it in front of crowd. We had three points and UNO had three points, so Kristina's match at three singles was the last one on and the deciding match. And being a conference match and with both teams watching and cheering, it was a big moment. But Kristina did not shy away at all. She went out and executed brilliantly, taking the fight to her opponent and gaining us the fourth point and the win. I'm so proud of our girls and how they battled."
The Bears will hit the road next weekend, taking on McNeese State on Saturday and Nicholls on Sunday. Wharton also shouted out a big supporter of the Bears, "saying I would like to extend a personal thank you to Dr. Paul Kraus, who does so much for our program. Now we take some time off to recover and reset, before hitting the road and battling next week in Lake Charles."
