UCO season ends in NCAA's Central Regional Final

5/2/2017 1:46:00 PM | By: Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma senior Emilie Semo and the Bronchos ended their 2017 season in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. [UCO Photo Services]

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – The University of Central Oklahoma women's tennis team had its season come to an end Tuesday with a 5-2 defeat to Northeastern State in the NCAA Tournament's Central Regional Final.

"We knew this was going to be a tough task," UCO head coach Jaron Maestas said. "I'm most proud of these girls for never giving up and fighting to the last possible match."

Maestas took over the program last summer and is not only a first-year coach at Central, but a first-year coach at any level. The Bronchos finish the 2017 season 14-9.

UCO fell behind 1-0 after a Northeastern State win at No. 2 doubles, but quickly responded by winning at No. 1 doubles to even the match. NSU won No. 3 though, giving the Riverhawks a big 2-1 advantage heading into singles competition.

Alli Hodges, who helped get the Bronchos get an 8-4 win at No. 1 doubles, helped even more in singles. The No. 1, and 38th-ranked player in the country, crushed Molly Worden, who is ranked 32nd in the country, 6-0, 6-2 to tie the match at two points apiece.

NSU responded again though, with Valeriia Efimenko winning 6-0, 6-4 over Kirtana Bhat at No. 2 singles to re-take the lead 3-2. Northeastern made it 4-2 with a win at No. 3 singles after Caitlin McCullough topped Alix Williams 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. NSU clinched the match when Easton Parker beat Shali Schoepflin 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 at No. 4 singles.

Emilie Semo has a 1-set lead on Karla Tomaic at No. 5 singles and Jenny Bond was fighting for a three-set win at No. 6 singles when Northeastern won the match.

Tuesday's Results
NORTHEASTERN STATE
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
Doubles
Alli Hodges/Alix Williams, UCO, def. Molly Worden/Valeriia Efimenko, 8-4
Caitlin McCullough/Easton Park, NSU, def. Shali Schoepflin/Kirtana Bhat, 8-2
Karla Tomaic/Betka Gombarova, NSU, def. Jenny Bond/Emilie Semo, 8-5
Singles
Hodges, UCO, def. Worden, 6-0, 6-2
Efimenko, NSU, def. Bhat, 6-0, 6-4
McCullough, NSU, def. Williams, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
Parker, NSU, def. Schoepflin, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
Tomiac, NSU, vs. Semo, unf.
Gombarova, NSU, vs. Bond, unf.
Order of Finish: Doubles (2, 1, 3); Singles (1, 2, 3, 4)

Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories