MOBILE, Ala. – The Central Arkansas tennis team took a break from conference play on Tuesday when they traveled to Mobile, Alabama for matchups against the Murray State Racers and the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. The Bears (11-6, 3-1 SLC) enjoyed their short stay in Alabama as they took both matches and hit the double-digit mark in wins on the year.
UCA 4, MURRAY STATE 3
The Bears performance in singles play had a significant role in the outcome as Central Arkansas began in a 1-0 hole after getting swept in doubles play. Sophomore Yada Vasupongchai joined the 10-win club after tying up the score with a dominant 6-1, 6-0 sweep. The Racers quickly responded with a 6-3, 6-1 win of their own to regain the lead at 2-1. Senior Marli Van Heerden continued her impressive play with a 6-4, 6-3 win to improve to 11-5 on the year and knot it up at 2-all. Freshman Chunxi Xin gave Central Arkansas its first lead of the day after a 7-5, 6-3 victory made it 3-2. After the Racers' No. 6 player took her match in two sets, it all came down to the battle of the No. 2's as freshman Fuka Nonoyama was the Bears' last chance for victory. Tied at 1-1, Nonoyama took the third set 6-4 and secured the highly-contested win for the Bears.
UCA 4, LA TECH 1
Unlike the match against the Racers, the Bears opened singles play against the Lady Techsters with a 1-0 advantage. The score quickly became even at 1-1 though as the Bears only played five players in singles competition. Senior Rada Manataweewat broke the early tie after a mirroring 6-4,6-4 sweep. Manataweewat joined Van Heerden in total wins as she improved to 11-4 on the year. Senior QiLi Ma gave the Bears more breathing room as she swept her opponent 6-2, 6-3 to make it 3-1. The match concluded after freshman Mei Ishimura overcame an early 1-0 deficit and won 2-6, 6-1, 6-2 to confirm the 2-0 day for Central Arkansas.
In doubles play, the Bears worked themselves out of an early 1-0 hole and won the next two to secure the point. Ma and Manataweewat stayed unbeaten on the year with a 6-2 win to improve to 6-0. Vasupongchai and Ishimura improved to 9-4 on the season when they won 6-4 to conclude doubles play.
UP NEXT
After five straight matches on the road, the Bears will finally return home for conference matchups with the Southeastern Louisiana Lions on March 29 and the McNeese Cowgirls on March 31. The Bears will carry a 3-0 home record into next weekend with the Lions matchup beginning at 1 p.m. at the UCA Tennis Courts.
