EDMOND, OKLAHOMA – #18 UT Tyler women's tennis is 1-0 to start the season after a 5-2 win over Central Oklahoma on the road in Edmond on Thursday.
 
Action began in doubles, where the Bronchos took the opening point of the day. The Patriots got a doubles win from Hailey Zhang and Paula Castellanos at 6-1 to lead off, but the Bronchos answered with wins in the #2 and then the #1 line to close out the opening point of the match and carry a 1-0 lead into singles.
 
UT Tyler answered the bell with an avalanche of points, taking five of the six matches on their way to a big win.
 
That run was led off by Zhang, who secured an undefeated day after a 6-3, 6-3 straight sets run. Right behind her was her doubles partner in Castellanos, who also secured an undefeated day with her own straight sets win at 6-4, 6-1.
 
That win put the Patriots out in front, and Maria Antonio Ortega added to the straight sets wins in line #6 with a 6-3, 6-4 win that moved them to match point.
 
Central Oklahoma would stave off elimination with a win in the #2 line, taking down Natalia Gorzny to pull back within one.
 
Carla Rodier battled tough in her match in line #4, ripping off a 6-2 first set win before falling 3-6 in set two. That set up a third set that would be for the match, and Rodier delivered another 6-2 win to give the Patriots their 4^th point necessary for the win.
 
UT Tyler added one final point in the #1 line, with Yona Bancarel responding to a 4-6 first set with two straight wins of 6-4 and 7-5 to secure the fifth and final point of the day.
 
The Patriots will be back in action on Friday as both the men's and women's teams will take on Northeastern State at 11 a.m. in Edmond, Oklahoma.