Razorbacks Dominate On Day 2

MINNEAPOLIS – The Arkansas women’s tennis team continued its dominant efforts Friday at the USTA/ITA Central Regional Championships being held at at the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus.

Arkansas earned seven combined singles and doubles wins while surrendering just two losses in its second day of competition. The Razorbacks advanced its two doubles teams to the round of 32 and two individuals to the singles round of 16. Both rounds are slated for Saturday.

“11-2 at this point in the event is a great sign for us overall,” head coach Michael Hegarty said. “Today it was Ana and Shannon’s competitive level that was the highlight for us. They battled through some stiff competition.”

The Razorbacks wasted little time making quick work of their opponents in the doubles round of 64. The duo of freshman Natusho Arakawa and senior co-captain Shannon Hudson defeated Missouri State’s Alye Darter and Anelisse Torrico 8-2, while the pair of junior Mia Jurasic and sophomore Ana Oparenovic beat South Dakota State’s Morgan Brower and Iasmin Rosa 8-2.

Arkansas turned its attention to singles play, where it won three of its four matches in the round of 64. Hudson defeated Minnesota’s Tina Kreinis 6-1, 6-4. Arakawa garnered a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Nebraska’s Mary Hanna. Oparenovic, who is ranked 60th nationally, eased past Iowa State’s Maty Cancini 6-0, 6-2. Despite a valiant effort, Jurasic was held off by Kansas State’s Iva Bago 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-0.

In the singles round of 32, Hudson took down Nebraska’s Claire Reifeis 6-2, 6-3. Arakawa was set back by Tulsa’s Martina Okalova 6-2, 6-0, but Oparenovic finished the day with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Oklahoma State’s Lena Rupert.

The Razorbacks return to action Saturday, competing in both singles and doubles.

For more information on Arkansas Women’s Tennis, follow @RazorbackWTEN on Twitter.