CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas tennis team continued its hot streak on Friday afternoon at home as they narrowly defeated the New Orleans Privateers (6-2, 1-2 SLC) 4-3 for their seventh straight win.
 
The Bears (9-5, 3-0 SLC) were able to stay undefeated in the SLC after freshman Maja Gledic captured a close 7-6, 6-3 sweep at the No. 3 to clinch the Bears win.
 
UCA 4, UNO 3
 
SINGLES – Entering singles play with a 1-0 lead for the seventh straight match, sophomore Fuka Nonoyama extended the Bears' lead to 2-0 after a 6-4, 6-1 sweep at the No. 2 court. New Orleans evened the score at 2-2 after sweeps of their own at the No. 4 and 5 courts and put the pressure on Central Arkansas. All squared up, the freshmen came through for the Bears as Jaeun Lee won a three-set duel at the No. 6 court and Gledic took court No. 3 to secure the win.
 
DOUBLES – The sophomore pairing of Nonoyama and Chunxi Xin did their usual thing to start the day for Central Arkansas as they took the top court 6-2 for their tenth straight win. Gledic and junior Yada Vasupongchai followed closely behind with a 6-4 win to clinch the early 1-0 advantage.
 
HEAD COACH CASEY WHARTON ON THE WIN
 
"UNO is always good, they're a difficult team for us to get past every year. It's nice to play them at home this year, but it was our first match at our courts -- I didn't know how we would do with that."
 
"I thought we did well. We did as well as we could in doubles – our energy was good, our decisions and preparation were good. Overall, I was proud of them and their effort."
 
"I'm going to enjoy today and then we'll get right back to work tomorrow."
 
UP NEXT
 
The Bears will enjoy Saturday off before welcoming the Colonels of Nicholls State to the UCA Tennis Courts on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.