FORT WORTH, Texas - Against some of the toughest competition they have faced this tennis season, the University of Central Arkansas showcased the power in their youth at the TCU Invite.

The Bears rallied in two matches as a pair of freshmen grabbed victories over the home team and the University of North Texas in the season opener. 

As the morning started off, the Bears showed resilience in the early goings as they faced TCU on their home court. Sophomore Fuka Nonoyama showcased her ability to compete with anyone as she took on TCU's No. 2 Mercedes Aristegui. Aristegui claimed the first set 6-1, but Nonoyama knew she could do better as she rallied to take the second set 6-4. Nonoyama eventually fell in the third but continued to earn respect as one of the Midwest's better tennis players.

While UCA struggled at times, freshmen Sumomo Hamanaga and Jaeun Lee came through as the invitationals bright spots. Hamanaga got the Bears on the board as she took on the Horned Frog's Margaret Polk. As only a sophomore, Polk has a bright future in tennis as she was ranked as a five-star recruit going into college. In this battle of the youth Polk drew first blood by closing out a 7-6 first set. That only lit the fire for Hamanaga as she dominated the second set 6-1 and soon after claimed the final set to put the Bears on the board. 

In another battle of the young bloods, Lee took on North Texas's Sophia Hummel. As a sophomore, Hummel saw a little action last spring as she finished her freshmen campaign 5-6. Unlike the Bears' previous matchups, this match did not reach the third set as Lee blew by her in the first and second set 6-2, 6-3. 

The Bears will continue to fight in the TCU Invitational as they are scheduled to participate in the tournament's afternoon session. UCA will once against face off against North Texas while also adding Texas A&M to the mix. The afternoon portion of the Invitational is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.