CONWAY, Ark. - Fresh off a successful ITA Central Regional, the Bears will get to test their strengths as they face off against power five prestige this weekend against the University of Missouri.

The University of Central Arkansas tennis team gets its first big duel test of the season as the Bears are pitted against the Tigers in the home matchup on the eve of Halloween. 

With only a few days removed from their successful outing in Fayetteville, Ark, the Bears are hoping to continue to build on their ever-growing momentum. This is most prominent in the case of junior Fuka Nonoyama, who successfully claimed the regional consolation championship. Nonoyama's title continues to add to her already impressive year as she currently sits at 9-1 on the season. Nonoyama was not alone in her successful endeavors as she and her doubles partner sophomore Chunxi Xin enjoyed a sweet 16 run on the tournament's doubles side. 

Freshmen Maja Gledic and Sumomo Hamanaga also enjoyed ample success as they cleared the first round and added to their record of 7-1 as a team. Another success recipient of the regional was junior Yada Vasupongchai. Vasupongchai won her first-round matchup and forced a three-set match in the round of 32 before falling in the final set. 

Looking at the opponent's side, the Tigers are a dangerous squad as their strengths prove lethal as they showcased what they are capable of at the ITA regional. One player to watch for the Tigers is junior Bronte Murgett. Murgett solidified her presence in the tennis world as she grabbed the ITA Central Regional Championship. Outside of Murgett, MU is led by seniors Ellie Wright and Serna Nash, who were the Tigers go to No. 1 and No. 2 last season. Wright accumulated a 14-9 record in singles play in the shortened season while being 12-9 in doubles play. Nash finished out the year 9-10 in singles and 13-8 in doubles play. Altogether these two helped lead the Tigers to an 8-7 record before COVID-19 canceled the spring season.

The first serve for the matchup will be at 10:30 a.m., while the second match will start at 2:30 p.m. Friday at the UCA Tennis Courts. 

Quote from Head Coach Casey Wharton:
"We were proud of how we competed at the ITA. Overall, we as a team want to get better and keep getting better every week. While it was great to have success at our last tournament, I want the team to continue focusing on moving forward, and working on the things that we can control, and getting better is something we can always control."