Arkansas Gets Big Road Victory
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Strong play in both doubles and singles helped the Arkansas women’s tennis team top Kansas 4-3 on Saturday at the Jayhawk Tennis Center.
The victory improved the Razorbacks’ record to 5-2 on the season, while the Jayhawks fell to 4-2. It also marked Arkansas’ second straight win over a Big 12 opponent in as many matches.
Arkansas won the doubles point and then took three matches in singles to claim the overall victory. Saturday’s contest also featured the successful debut of highly touted freshman Giulia Pairone, who was first off the court with victories in both singles and doubles action.
“This was a very good quality victory on the road over an in-form Jayhawk squad,” head coach Michael Hegarty said. “We took some big steps forward as a group today, and that’s exciting for all of us.”
In doubles, Pairone and senior co-captain Shannon Hudson gave the Razorbacks the early edge with a 6-2 win at No. 2. After the Jayhawks responded with a 6-2 victory at the top spot, Razorbacks freshman Natsuho Arakawa and sophomore Agne Cepelyte won their next two games to earn a 6-4 win at No. 3 and secure the doubles point. It was the second straight match and the fifth time overall this season the Razorbacks won the opening point.
The Razorbacks carried their momentum and 1-0 lead into singles play, winning first sets at No. 2, 3, 5 and 6.
First off the court for the second time on the day, Pairone eased past her opponent 6-2 6-3 at No. 5 to extend Arkansas’ lead to 2-0.
The Jayhawks posted back-to-back victories at No. 4 and 1 to level the match.
Within seconds, Arkansas sophomore Ana Oparenovic dispatched her opponent 6-4, 7-5 to lift the Razorbacks to a 3-2 lead.
The clincher came from the No. 3 spot, where junior Mia Jurasic outmatched her opponent 7-6 (4), 6-4.
Kansas earned a victory at No. 6 after the clinch to close out scoring.
Up Next
Arkansas will travel to face Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana, on Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. CT.
For more information on Arkansas Women’s Tennis, follow @RazorbackWTEN on Twitter.
