Strong Start On Day 1

MIDLAND, Texas — The Arkansas women’s tennis team kicked off its fall season Friday at the Midland Invitational hosted by The Racquet Club of Midland.

The Razorbacks posted several strong showings, combining for seven victories in singles and doubles on the day.

“Today was a clear signal that this season’s team is going to compete and hustle extremely well,” head coach Michael Hegarty said. “We had a very positive opening day, and the team is only going to gather steam as this weekend and season move on.”

Sophomores Natsuho Arakawa and Jackie Carr highlighted the strong day, each earning two singles victories to advance to Saturday’s Flight 1 quarterfinals.

Freshman Tatum Rice and junior Agne Cepelyte also scored singles wins for the Razorbacks.

Rice and Carr teamed up in doubles for a victory to advance to Saturday’s second-round action, while Arakawa and Cepelyte earned a first-round bye.

Flight 1 Singles Draw Results
Brianna Lashway (Nebraska) def. Agne Cepelyte (Arkansas), 4-6, 6-4 (10-5)
Agne Cepelyte (Arkansas) def. Riley McQuaid (Texas A&M), 6-4, 3-6 (10-7)
Jackie Carr (Arkansas) def. Iulia Ivascu (Texas A&M), 6-3, 6-2
Jackie Carr (Arkansas) def. Claire Reifeis (Nebraska), 6-3, 7-6
Tatum Rice (Arkansas) def. Agustina Serio (UT Arlington), 4-6, 6-4 (10-8)
Maria Shishkina (TJC) def. Tatum Rice (Arkansas), 6-2, 6-4
Natsuho Arakawa (Arkansas) def. Alex Jones (Texas State), 6-2, 6-2
Natsuho Arakawa (Arkansas) def. Paula Del Cueto Castillo (Nebraska), 1-6, 6-4 (10-7)

Doubles Draw Results
Rice/Carr (Arkansas) def. Adams/Miminishi (Abilene Christian), 6-4
Arakawa/Cepelyte (Arkansas), bye

Up Next
The Razorbacks will return to action at The Racquet Club of Midland on Saturday for Day.