FORT WORTH, Texas - The University of Central Arkansas continued their trend of success as they concluded the TCU Invitational with four more victories.
A mix of youth and veteran play was just what the doctor ordered as the Bears claimed two wins on the singles and doubles courts.
Freshmen Sumomo Hamanaga and Jaeun Lee have been at the epicenter of UCA's success since the invite began on Saturday. That streak did not end on the final day as both of these competitors closed out the competition with victories in singles play. Hamanaga started the day for the Bears as she faced off against Houston's Bianca Cortijo. This match was a nailbiter by trade as Hamanaga rallied after losing the first set, 4-6, by grabbing the second one 6-2. The third was as close as they come as each competitor battled until Hamanaga was eventually crowned champion in the 1-0 (11-9) set victory.
Lee also had her hand in one of the invitational's best matches as she claimed a singles victory in three sets. In the same fashion, she lost the first set, 4-6, before she eventually rallied to grab the second 6-2. Her third set went slightly further than Hamanaga's as she claimed it 1-0 (12-10).
UCA had to go to the doubles play to grab the next two matches as they once again bested Houston in two of the three. This time however it was sophomore Mei Ishimura and junior Yada Vasupongchai drawing first blood. Against the Houston duo of Isa Di Laura and Elise Robbins, the pair of Bears bested their opponents 6-3.
Once again, the duo of sophomore Fuka Nonoyama and freshman Paulina Engback claimed a victory, making their record for the tournament 2-2. Similar to the two singles competitors, this match made sure to be a close matchup against the Houston duo of Phonexay Chitdara and Gabriela Giraldo. This matchup went past the six and instead settled on seven as the UCA doubles team claimed it 7-5.
Next up, the Bears head to Tulsa, Okla., to compete in a round robbin duel format. UCA is set for a doubleheader to start the event as they take on the University of Wyoming and University of Tulsa beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday.
Quote from coach Casey Wharton:
"I was excited to be playing this weekend, there were a lot of good teams and we were healthy enough to play four days of matches. I thought we played well considering how little practices we had over Christmas break. We had some great results and I am excited to start the season on a positive note. We will go home and rest a couple of days and get back to work in Tulsa."
