LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Harding women's tennis team opened a challenging week against ranked opponents Wednesday morning, falling 7-0 to No. 50 University of Central Oklahoma at the Burns Park indoor courts.

The Lady Bisons (2-5) faced a Bronchos squad that entered the match with a nationally-ranked doubles tandem and a top-35 singles player.

Doubles Point to UCO

Central Oklahoma (8-5) showcased its doubles depth early. Despite a spirited effort from Harding's No. 4-ranked duo of Karli Roux and Brooke Coffman, UCO's No. 18-ranked pair of Pete Komada and Mei Hasegawa held on for a 6-4 victory at the top flight.

The Bronchos clinched the opening point with a 6-2 win at No. 2 and a 6-3 win at No. 3.

Singles Battles

In singles action, the Lady Bisons pushed the Bronchos into several extended matches, including three-set marathons at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions.

Senior Karli Roux, ranked No. 44 nationally, jumped out to a fast start against Mei Hasegawa at No. 1 singles, taking the opening set 6-2. However, Hasegawa, ranked No. 32 in the latest ITA poll, found her rhythm to storm back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory.

At the No. 3 spot, freshman Brooke Coffman displayed her characteristic grit. After taking the first set 6-2, she battled Anika Ouwejan through a grueling second and third set. Ouwejan ultimately outlasted Coffman in a final-set tiebreaker to win 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

UCO secured the sweep with straight-sets wins at positions No. 2, 4, 5, and 6. At the No. 6 flight, Paula Rega nearly forced a second-set tiebreaker before falling 7-5, 6-0 to Hui Yii Soo.

Up Next

The schedule does not get any easier for the Lady Bisons, who travel to Texas on Friday to face another high-ranking opponent. Harding will take on No. 12 Midwestern State in Wichita Falls. First serve is scheduled for 9:00 a.m.

#50 Central Oklahoma 7, Harding 0

Doubles Competition

1. #18 Pete Komada/Mei Hasegawa (UCO) def. #4 Karli Roux/Brooke Coffman (HU) 6-4

2. Anika Ouwejan/Ayaka Koga (UCO) def. Natalia Alvarez/Kenna Kelley (HU) 6-2

3. Karina Yurchenko/Hui Yii Soo (UCO) def. Mia Hosking/Paula Rega (HU) 6-3

Singles Competition

1. #32 Mei Hasegawa (UCO) def. #44 Karli Roux (HU) 2-6, 6-2, 6-2

2. Pete Komada (UCO) def. Natalia Alvarez (HU) 6-2, 6-1

3. Anika Ouwejan (UCO) def. Brooke Coffman (HU) 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4)

4. Ayaka Koga (UCO) def. Mia Hosking (HU) 6-2, 6-2

5. Karina Yurchenko (UCO) def. Kenna Kelley (HU) 6-4, 6-1

6. Hui Yii Soo (UCO) def. Paula Rega (HU) 7-5, 6-0

Order of finish: Doubles (2, 3, 1); Singles (2, 4, 1, 3, 5, 6)