UCA’s women’s tennis team went up against Alcorn State in singles and doubles Jan. 18, only dropping one of 16 sets.

UCA junior Nataly Yoo won her sets 6-1 both times to clinch her match against Alcorn State’s freshman Aida Kelic.

Next, senior Kelsey Williams matched ASU’s freshman Siobhan Ryan-Bovey, where she won her first set 6-3, dropped her next set 2-6, and finally clinched the victory by beating her opponent in the final set 7-6.

UCA senior Kristina Horsikyan won the first two sets 6-2 and 6-3 to win the match against freshman Ivana Boberic.

Bears’ senior Cassidy Crawford defeated sophomore Patricia Normand, winning her sets 6-2 and 6-0.

UCA senior Allison Murphy played sophomore Aakanksha Punj, winning the match 6-2, 6-3.

Last up in the singles matches was Bears freshman Amanda Alvarez, who defeated her opponent Braves freshman Ann Kazarina 6-1, 6-2, to keeping the Bears undefeated in singles for the day.

Next up was the doubles competition, where the Bears shutout the Alcorn State Braves.

Murphy and Williams went head to head against Ryan-Bovey and Boberic, pulling a close win with a set score of 8-7.

Up next was Crawford and Yoo against Kelic and Punj, where the Bears had a more comfortable win over Alcorn State, 8-4.

Horsikyan and junior Bianca Strukelj faced Normand and Kazarina, winning 8-2.

This capped off an impressive opening day for the Bears, ending the week with nothing but wins on their stat sheets.

UCA felt confident going into this weekend’s match against the Braves.

Williams said the team went into this match with a positive mindset.

“We were able to defeat this team last year so we are hoping to do that same thing for our opening game of the season this year,” she said. “We know that we can never underestimate a team and must give it our all in order to clinch the match.”

To prepare, Williams said the team tried to stay focused on the game’s fundamentals and gain rhythm and consistency.

Crawford said the team played well for the first match.

“We had some tough matches, but we played physically and mentally strong.”

After an impressive weekend, the Bears have two weeks of rest and practice before they face the University of Arkansas — Pine Bluff Golden Lions at 11 a.m Jan. 31 at home.

Last season, the Bears swept the Lady Lions 7-0.