Bronchos Fall in Top 25 Battle

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Central Oklahoma dropped a battle of DII powerhouses Saturday morning in a neutral-site non-conference matchup against West Alabama.

UCO, the eighth-ranked team in the country, had a 3-1 lead before, UWA, the 12th-ranked team in the country, came back for the 4-3 victory.

"We fought hard today," UCO head tennis coach Joe Vann said. "We are young and we played a very experienced team today. It was great experience for our freshmen as we get ready for Indoor nationals."

UCO is 2-2 on the season following the loss. The Bronchos play Monday against Southeastern Oklahoma State in another non-conference match before heading to Kearney, Nebraska for the 2023 ITA Indoor National Championships.

UCO took a 1-0 lead after doubles play, getting wins at the top two positions in the lineup.

Tizia Brocks and Karyna Yurchenko won 6-3 at No. 2 doubles and Blythe Buntrock and Nikki Boyar won 7-6 at No. 1 doubles.

After UWA picked up its first point at No. 3 Singles, Buntrock and Boyar also picked up wins for the Bronchos to give UCO the 3-1 lead.

But Central Oklahoma couldn't get another one. West Alabama picked up wins at No. 6, No. 3, and No. 1 to clinch the match.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Nikki Boyar: 5' 2"; Graduate Student

Tizia Brocks: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Blythe Buntrock: 5' 8"; Junior

Karyna Yurchenko: 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Nikki Boyar
: 5' 2"; Graduate Student

Tizia Brocks
: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Blythe Buntrock
: 5' 8"; Junior

Karyna Yurchenko
: 5' 6"; Freshman