SEARCY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas tennis emerged victorious on the road on Wednesday afternoon against an in-state foe in the Harding Bisons. UCA improved its record to 8-8 as it is set to continue ASUN play at home this weekend.
UCA picked up an early doubles point after being in a 1-0 hole in the doubles match. The pair of Nanoka Kazama and Harune Shigemasu helped get things back to 1-1, and Konomi Miyakawa and Seohyun Park helped seal the early point with a 7-6 tiebreak victory.
Vichitraporn Vimuktananda continued to roll, and brushed off some adversity as she won in three sets. Kazama and Sumomo Hamanaga each rolled to victories to secure the win for UCA, with three matches left to play. Ting-An Chen stepped up in the No. 6 spot for the Bears, winning 6-4, 6-3. The sophomore has stepped up on several occasions in the No. 6 spot for the Bears.
UCA returns home to resume conference play, looking to improve upon its 0-2 ASUN mark. The Bears start off on Friday, March 22nd against Eastern Kentucky at 10:00 a.m. and Queens on Saturday, March 23rd at 11:00 a.m.
UCA 5 – Harding 2
Doubles:
Vimuktananda / Hamanaga vs. Britt/Roux 6-3
Kazama / Shiegemasu vs. Pesci/Plunkett 6-4
Park / Miyakawa vs. Dodd/Ruiz 7-6(7-2)
Singles:
Vimuktananda vs. Roux 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
Kazama vs. Valdez 6-2, 6-3
Hamanaga vs. Ruiz 6-1, 6-0
Miyakawa vs. Britt 7-6 WR
Shiegemasu vs. Stafford 6-4, 6-3
Chen vs. Alvarez 6-4, 6-3
