UCO Edges Emporia, Advances To MIAA Semifinals

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Central Oklahoma opened the postseason with a 4-3 win over Emporia State Friday in the first round of the 2025 MIAA Women's Tennis Championship.

UCO advances to the semifinals, where the Bronchos will play No. 1 seed Nebraska Kearney.

"We didn't play our best but we did get the win today and that's what matters most," UCO head women's tennis coach Joe Vann said. "We need to settle in and get ready for Kearney, it's going to be tough, but we know we're capable."

UCO jumped out to a 1-0 lead Friday after taking wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles. Anika Ouwejan and Nefeli Zafeiri won 6-3 at No. 1 and Ayaka Koga and Pete Komada won 6-1 at the No. 2 position. Hui Soo and Karyna Yurchenko also led 4-3 at the time the Bronchos clinched the point and their match at No. 3 doubles was abandoned.

Komada made it 2-0 with a quick win at No. 1 singles, taking down her opponent 6-4, 6-2. Then Ouwejan made it 3-0 UCO with a 6-3, 6-4 win at No. 4 singles.

But Emporia fought back. The Hornets won at No. 6, No. 3, and No. 5 to level the match, 3-3. Soo lost 7-5, 6-0. Koga lost 6-4, 6-2. And Yurchenko lost 6-2, 6-3.

The match, and possible the season, came down to No. 2 singles, where Zafeiri had a one-set advantage. She won the first 7-6 (4) and had to fight for a 7-5 win in the second set to secure the win for herself and UCO.

Central Oklahoma and Nebraska Kearney met six days ago in Edmond on the final day of the regular season. The guest Lopers won 5-2. The winner of Saturday's semifinal advances to the league championship Sunday morning.

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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