DALLAS (April 3) – Central Oklahoma won four of the six singles matches to overcome an early deficit and rally past Dallas Baptist 5-4 in a crucial tennis showdown here Friday afternoon.

The Bronchos, ranked fifth in the South Central Region and 28th in NCAA Division II, improved to 10-5 with the hard-fought win over the Patriots, who are seventh in the regional ratings.

UCO trailed 2-1 after the doubles action, but stormed back in singles to claim its fifth straight win.

Audrey Donovan had a key three-set win at No. 1 singles for the Bronchos, while Julie Vo, Lacy Caldwell and Amy Cabato all sailed to straight-set victories, including a 6-0, 6-0 blanking by Caldwell at No. 5.

“Our team really displayed a great work ethic and attitude today,” UCO coach Natalya Smith said.  “I think Dallas Baptist played good and aggressive and we started a little bit slow in doubles, but came back through hard work and with heart in all our singles matches.

“The match could have gone either way, but I'm happy we came out on top.”

UCO returns to action April 9 with matches in Lawton against Cameron and St. Edward's.

UCO 5, Dallas Baptist 4
Doubles
No. 1 – Lisa Olian/Jeanelle Stines, DBU, def. Lacy Caldwell/Audrey Donovan, 8-.4
No. 2 – Hannah Innes/Natalie Holmes, DBU, def. Julia Shviadok/Elizabeta Abramovic, 8-5.
No. 3 – Julie Vo/Amy Cabato, UCO, def. Laura Atkins/Christine Wehrli, 8-1..
Singles
No. 1 –Donovan, UCO, def. Holmes, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.
No. 2 – Stines, DBU, Shviadok, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.
No. 3 - Vo, UCO, def. Olian, 6-2, 6-3.
No. 4 – Innes, DBU, def. Abramovic, 6-4, 6-2.
No. 5 – Caldwell, UCO, def. Atkins, 6-0, 6-0.
No. 6 – Cabato, UCO, def. Wehrli, 6-2, 6-2.