CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas tennis program is set to open ASUN play this weekend on the road against both Kennesaw State and North Florida.
Last weekend, Vichitraporn Vimuktananda and Sumomo Hamanaga's singles wins were instrumental in winning a road match against Northwestern State. Vimuktananda and Hamanaga also broke the tie in doubles play to secure an early point over the Lady Demons. The pair of Nanoka Kazama and Harune Shigemasu paved the way with a 6-3 win to lead off doubles play. UCA went 2-0 on the weekend to take a 7-6 record into ASUN play.
The Owls of Kennesaw State led off this season with a losses to Louisville and Georgia Southern, but have since played well to come into this weekend with a 5-4 record. The Owls already picked up a conference win over North Florida on Wednesday. KSU has taken matches over Presbyterian, Western Carolina, and Jacksonville State in the non-conference slate. UCA took the only match between these two back in the spring of 2022, a 5-2 decision, and this will be the last conference matchup between the Bears and Owls, so this should be a great matchup this weekend.
North Florida has opened the season with a 5-7 record to date, including a loss to Kennesaw State in ASUN play. The Ospreys have defeated Incarnate Word, Elon, Texas State, Charleston State, and St. Bonaventure this season. UNF has also dropped tough matches with Central Florida and Florida Atlantic in non-conference play. UNF has taken both matchups all time against UCA and they've occurred in back to back seasons, so UCA will look to settle the score on the road this weekend.
UCA will take on Kennesaw State at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 15th in Kennesaw, Georgia. UCA will then hit the road for Jacksonville to take on the North Florida Ospreys at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 17th.
