Women's Tennis 1/24/2025 11:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Picked Third In MIAA Preseason Poll

Bronchos Receive One First-Place Vote Ahead Of 2025 Season

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was picked third in the MIAA Preseason Women's Tennis Coaches' Poll, the league announced Friday.

UCO received one first-place vote and totaled 61 points in the poll of 10 league head coaches. Washburn received eight first-place votes. Defending regular season champion Nebraska Kearney received a first-place vote as well and garnered 72 points in the poll.

2025 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Washburn (8), 78 points
2. Nebraska Kearney (1), 72
3. Central Oklahoma (1), 61
4. Missouri Western, 55
5. Northwest Missouri, 54
6. Emporia State, 38
7. Newman, 33
8. Northeastern State, 32
9. Arkansas-Fort Smith, 15
10. Fort Hays State, 12

Central Oklahoma posted an 8-10 overall record in 2024 and a 4-4 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos finished fifth in the final standings and lost in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Women's Tennis Championship.

UCO returns five starters, including senior veteran Nefeli Zafeiri and junior standout Pete Komada. Both have appeared in the national rankings in previous seasons. Junior Karyna Yurchenko is also back for her third season. And sophomores Anika Ouwejan and Ayaka Koga also return. Hui Soo is UCO's newcomer with the freshman expected to contribute.

Central Oklahoma opens the 2025 season Feb. 7 with a home dual against Arkansas Tech. the Bronchos will play seven non-conference games in February, and one more in March, before opening MIAA play. UCO has eight MIAA duals on the schedule from March 28 – April 26. The Bronchos have nine home duals out of 15 scheduled matches this season.

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Players Mentioned

Ayaka Koga: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Pete Komada: 5' 5"; Junior

Anika Ouwejan: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Karyna Yurchenko: 5' 6"; Junior

Nefeli Zafeiri: 5' 7"; Senior

Hui Soo: 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ayaka Koga
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Pete Komada
: 5' 5"; Junior

Anika Ouwejan
: 5' 7"; Sophomore

Karyna Yurchenko
: 5' 6"; Junior

Nefeli Zafeiri
: 5' 7"; Senior

Hui Soo
: 5' 6"; Freshman