Women's Tennis 2/8/2024 1:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

Bronchos Return For Spring Season Friday Afternoon

UCO Hosts Southwest Baptist In 2024 Opener

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma begins its 2024 season Friday with a non-conference match against Southwest Baptist at Broncho Courts.

UCO, which competed in three fall tournaments, will have 10 non-conference duals before beginning an 8-match MIAA slate to end the year. The Bronchos finished fifth in the league standings a year ago and were picked in the same position by the league's head coaches in the MIAA preseason poll.

"After our NCAA national runner-up finish two years ago, we had to start the rebuild process," third-year head women's tennis coach Joe Vann said. "We were lucky to have a young talent back then in Blythe Buntrock, that has grown into an amazing All-American her junior year and is off to a great start her senior year.

"We've done well with the growth of the freshmen and transfer from last year in Pete Komada, Karyna Yurchenko, and Nefeli Zafeiri," Vann continued. "Our incoming freshmen for this year are playing great as well: Manon Hallemans, Ayaka Koga, and Anika Ouwejan."

Buntrock and Komada teamed up for doubles competition in the fall and won the ITA Central Region championship. The duo is ranked No. 6 in the country heading into the spring season.

"We had a fantastic season exhibition opener vs. Cowley this last Sunday which really showcased our young talent and senior leadership on the court," Vann said. "Southwest Baptist marks the start of our spring season. If we continue to play this way, I expect great things this year."

Buntrock won 73 matches between singles and doubles competition heading into her senior year. The All-American from Las Vegas, Nevada is poised to move over 100 wins in her career this spring.

Komada won 26 matches a year ago during her freshman season and was named ITA Central Region Rookie of the Year following the season.

Zafeiri won 25 matches during her sophomore season after transferring from Lewis (Ill.). Yurchenko won 14 matches during her freshman season last year.

Central Oklahoma's 10-game non-conference slate includes just one home match – Friday afternoon. The Bronchos will play the next 10 away from campus including the first MIAA dual of the year. UCO makes its next home appearances April 5 against Fort Hays State.

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Players Mentioned

Blythe Buntrock: 5' 8"; Senior

Pete Komada: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Karyna Yurchenko: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Nefeli Zafeiri: 5' 7"; Junior

Anika Ouwejan: 5' 7"; Freshman

Ayaka Koga: 5' 3"; Freshman

Manon Hallemans: 5' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Blythe Buntrock
: 5' 8"; Senior

Pete Komada
: 5' 5"; Sophomore

Karyna Yurchenko
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Nefeli Zafeiri
: 5' 7"; Junior

Anika Ouwejan
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Ayaka Koga
: 5' 3"; Freshman

Manon Hallemans
: 5' 3"; Freshman