CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas women's tennis team faced a tough battle at the Conway Tennis Center, falling 5-0 to the University of North Florida on Friday. Despite strong efforts in both singles and doubles play, the Ospreys proved too much for the Bears, securing the victory before all matches were completed.
The match opened with a competitive doubles session, where UCA fought hard but couldn't secure the early point. At No. 1 doubles,
Vichitraporn Vimuktananda and
Konomi Miyakawa pushed their UNF opponents but fell just short in a 7-5 decision. The No. 2 duo of Nonoka Kazama and
Harune Shigemasu kept things tight before UNF clinched the match at 6-5. Meanwhile, the No. 3 team of
Ting-An Chen and Nanako Fukushima struggled against a dominant UNF pairing, falling 6-0.
North Florida carried its momentum into singles play, winning four completed matches in straight sets.
Harune Shigemasu dropped a 6-1, 5-1 decision at No. 4 singles, while
Ting-An Chen (No. 5) and
Seohyun Park (No. 6) battled but were unable to overcome their opponents. Nonoka Kazama fought hard at No. 2 singles but ultimately fell 6-2, 5-1.
At the top of the lineup, Vimuktananda and Miyakawa were both locked in close battles when the match was clinched. Vimuktananda trailed 7-6, 5-1 at No. 1, while Miyakawa was in a tight contest at 6-4, 5-6 before play was halted.
Despite the loss, UCA displayed grit and determination in front of its home crowd. The Bears will look to bounce back as they prepare for their next match at home on April 4th at 11 a.m.
Final Score: North Florida 5, UCA 0
Doubles -
#1 Alfaro/Oliveria (UNF) def. Miyakawa/Vimuktananda (UCA) (7-5)
#2 Barendse/Long (UNF) def. Kazama/Shigemasu (UCA) (6-5) (UF)
#3 Goyins/Bartlett (UNF) def. Chen/Fukushima (UCA) (6-0)
Singles
#1 Barendse (UNF) vs. Vimuktanada (UCA) (7-6, 5-1) (abandoned)
#2 Bartlett (UNF) def. Kazama (UCA) ( 6-2, 5-1)
#3 Alfaro (UNF) vs. Miyakawa (UCA) (6-4, 5-6) (abandoned)
#4 Long (UNF) def. Shigemasu (UCA) (6-1, 5-1)
#5 Goyins (UNF) def. Chen (UCA) (6-4, 6-2)
#6 Makea (UNF) def. S. Park (UCA) (6-0, 6-2)
