Women's Tennis 2/4/2026 9:00:00 AM Chris Brannick

Tennis Season Returns To Edmond

Bronchos Host No. 18 UT Tyler, Southwest Baptist This Weekend

EDMOND – Central Oklahoma returns to the court Thursday for the 2026 spring opener against No. 18 UT Tyler. The Bronchos are also hosting Southwest Baptist on Friday.

Both non-conference matches begin at 1 p.m. at Broncho Courts on campus.

"We're looking forward to getting back on the court," UCO head women's tennis coach Joe Vann said. "We had a good fall and we've been anxious to get back so we're ready. These are two good teams coming to Edmond so it'll be a good test."

Both UT Tyler and Southwest Baptist are making their spring debuts this weekend.

Central Oklahoma is receiving votes in the latest ITA coaches' poll and sits just outside the Top 25 team rankings. Senior All-American Pete Komada is ranked No. 15 in the country in the ITA Singles Top 50. Komada with junior teammate Ayaka Koga are ranked No. 13 in the country in the ITA Doubles Top 25.

Komada and Koga won the ITA Central Region championship in the fall and made it to the Round of 16 at nationals.

Central Oklahoma has a veteran lineup with Karyna Yurchenko joining Komada in the senior class along with Marina Becaro. Koga, Anika Ouwejan, and Brylee Toney make up the junior class. Hui Soo is back for her sophomore year and joined by mid-year transfer Mei Hasegawa. Dilay Ata, Haley Hibbets, and Milana Quick are ready to make their UCO spring debuts.

Yurchenko has more than 60 career victories for the Bronchos and the 2024-25 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership & Sportsmanship Award winner has earned wins up and down the UCO lineup. After a 9-9 freshman year, she went 11-7 as a sophomore and 13-7 as a junior. In doubles, Yurchenko has 31 career wins.

Koga went 9-7 (singles) and 9-8 (doubles) as a freshman. She went 10-8 and 11-7 as a sophomore. Ouwejan has a 20-18 singles record in two seasons and is 25-13 in doubles play.

Komada went 26-16 overall as a freshman and was named ITA Central Region Rookie of the Year. She posted an even 16-16 record as a sophomore and last spring went 24-12. Komada has earned All-MIAA honors in each of her three seasons at UCO and last year was the 14th player in school history to be named All-American.

Central Oklahoma has six duals scheduled for February and five of them are home in Edmond. UCO will travel to Arkansas Tech this weekend and then hosts Ouachita Baptist, Southeastern Oklahoma State, and Colorado State Pueblo later this month.

After five more non-conference matches in March, Central Oklahoma begins its nine-game MIAA schedule March 24 at Newman. The Bronchos will play four of the nine at home. In 2025, UCO earned the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament and won the postseason championship.

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Players Mentioned

Marina Becaro: 5' 8"; Senior

Ayaka Koga: 5' 3"; Junior

Pete Komada: 5' 5"; Senior

Anika Ouwejan: 5' 7"; Junior

Hui Soo: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Brylee Toney: 5' 6"; Junior

Karyna Yurchenko: 5' 6"; Senior

Dilay Ata: 5' 4"; Freshman

Haley Hibbets: 5' 6"; Freshman

Milana Quick: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Marina Becaro
: 5' 8"; Senior

Ayaka Koga
: 5' 3"; Junior

Pete Komada
: 5' 5"; Senior

Anika Ouwejan
: 5' 7"; Junior

Hui Soo
: 5' 6"; Sophomore

Brylee Toney
: 5' 6"; Junior

Karyna Yurchenko
: 5' 6"; Senior

Dilay Ata
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Haley Hibbets
: 5' 6"; Freshman

Milana Quick
: 5' 5"; Freshman