CONWAY, Ark. - The Bears came out of their home opener clean as they swept up two intrastate rivals to continue their winning streak to three.
With injuries and limited spaces derailing UCA, there was no telling what would happen in this statewide doubleheader. However, with some timing and poise, the Bears came out with a fire to best Arkansas Tech 4-3 and Arkansas State 5-2.
It was a phenomenal day for UCA as multiple players showcased their ability to win in a big match. One player that should be noted for that is freshman Nicole Ross. Ross may have dropped her first match, but she showed her abilities in the second match, as she won her first NCAA singles match. Another player who took part in a big day was sophomore Maja Gledic. Gledic finished a perfect 4-0 day (2-0 doubles, 2-0 singles), with the clinching fourth point of the Arkansas State match. We also can not mention Gledic without referencing her partner, freshman Sumomo Hamanaga, who also had a perfect 4-0 day. Altogether it was an incredible effort for the Bears as they made sure to stamp their names as one of the best in Arkansas.
Quote from head coach Casey Wharton:
"Today was going to be difficult, because it was our first outdoor match. We are adjusting to the sun and the wind and just longer, slower points, then what we've been playing inside. So I think it was good to for us to play this morning against Arkansas Tech. They were tough. We had to stay focused, it was easy to get distracted, and frustrated because of the outdoor conditions. I thought that helped us be more prepared for Arkansas State. Arkansas State is good every year; they are a team we have to beat; like they are a team, we have to play good to beat them; they aren't going to beat themselves. I know a lot of the players were tired from this morning, but they had better timing and were already in a focused mode for being outside."
UCA vs. Arkansas Tech
Doubles:
Vasupongchai/Ishimura vs. Grinberg/Baez 6-3
Hamanaga/Gledic vs. Dargude/Amil 6-1
Ross/Engback vs. Griffiths/Bell 6-4
Singles:
Vasupongchai vs. Grinberg 6-2, 5-7, 10-8
Hamanaga vs. Dargude 7-6, 6-2
Gledic vs. Amil 6-1, 3-6, 10-5
Ishimura vs. Baez 6-0, 6-3
Ross vs. Krite 6-3, 6-2
Engback vs. Holcomb 7-5, 7-6
UCA vs. Arkansas State
Doubles:
Xin/Nonoyama vs. Rice/Zukic 7-6
Vasupongchai/Ishimura vs. Humbert/Vdovychenko 6-2
Gledic/Hamanaga vs. Surcey/Brody 6-4
Singles:
Xin vs. Rice 6-3, 2-6, 6-1
Nonoyama vs. Zukic 6-3, 6-2
Vasupongchai vs. Surcey 6-0, 7-6
Hamanaga vs. Vdovychenko 7-5, 6-2
Gledic vs. Humbert 6-2, 6-3
Ross vs. Brody 6-4, 0-6, 6-2
Up next, the Bears head to Columbia, Mo, to take on two Missouri programs. UCA battles SEMO at 9 a.m. and Mizzou at 2 p.m. in a Saturday (Feb. 19) doubleheader at the Mizzou Tennis Complex.
