Clarksville, Tenn. – The Central Arkansas tennis team continued its nonconference play with a weekend series in Clarksville, Tennessee against the Belmont Bruins and undefeated Austin Peay Governors. The Bears (3-4) started each match behind as they only had five healthy players make the trip.
 
UCA 3, BELMONT 4
 
The Bears began play against the Bruins down 1-0 due to injuries. Fuka Nonoyama enjoyed a successful day against Belmont as she swept No. 1 Drew Hawkins 6-3, 6-4 and then got help from Marli Van Heerden to defeat Hawkins again in doubles 7-5. Yada Vasupongchai impressed with a controlling 6-1, 6-2 sweep while Rada Manataweewat grinded out a 4-6, 6-1, 1-0 (12-10) victory over Terra Sheldon. Mei Ishimura took her opponent to three sets, but fell 6-4, 3-6. 6-2.
 
UCA 1, AUSTIN PEAY 6
 
Coming off a tough loss against Belmont, Central Arkansas ran into a red-hot Austin Peay team that proved too much for the Bears. Down 1-0 from the beginning by default, the Bears challenged the Governors by taking them to three sets in the 1, 3 and 4 matchups. Manataweewat earned the Bears' lone point after a gritty 7-5,7-6 win over Danielle Morris.
 
Manataweewat improved to a team-best 5-2 in singles play after the weekend series. Head Coach Casey Wharton said that this weekend was the best he has ever seen her play.
 
"Rada has an amazing amount of talent and variety in her game," Wharton said. "She has been practicing some routines that I think are going to make a big difference in results.
 
Her game has always been in place, I just think the missing piece was having the confidence to use it (routines) in matches."
 
UP NEXT
 
The Bears finally get to sit at home and relax as they will welcome in Arkansas State and UMKC on February 15 for their first home matchups of the Spring at the UCA Tennis Courts.