ABILENE, Texas (May 6) – Central Oklahoma saw another successful season come to an end here Thursday when the Bronchos fell to Incarnate Word 5-3 in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Tennis Championship.

The Bronchos dropped two of the three opening doubles matches to fall behind 2-1 and UIW claimed three of the first five singles matches to clinch the victory and move into Friday's finals against Abilene Christian.

UCO ended the season 15-7 in making its third straight national tournament appearance under fourth-year head coach Natalya Smith.

“I'm very proud of our team and how much we improved throughout this season,” Smith said.  “We got tougher physically and mentally and put it all on the line in this match, but Incarnate Word is a tough team and we just came up short.

“I'm excited to have this young group of players back next year and we're anxious to see what we can accomplish.”

The Bronchos, with no seniors and just one junior on the roster, got an 8-1 doubles win from Anto Rossini and Lacy Caldwell while dropping close 8-6 decisions in the other two doubles bouts.

Julia Shviadok and Rossini had straight set singles victories, but it wasn't enough.

Incarnate Word 5, UCO 3
Doubles
1 - Gretchen Trautmann-Adriana Hernandez, UIW, def. Julia Shviadok-Eli Abramovic, UCO, 8-6.
2 - Anto Rossini-Lacy Caldwell, UCO, def. Erica Engberg-Alex Adams, UIW, 8-1.
3 - Stephanie Rodriguez-Karen Rodriguez, UIW, def. Lindsey Sweetgall-Rose Cabato, UCO, 8-6.
Singles
1 - Julia Shviadok, UCO, def. Adriana Hernandez, UIW, 6-1, 6-2.
2 – DNF.
3 - Gretchen Trautmann, UIW, def. Lacy Caldwell, UCO, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
4 - Anto Rossini, UCO, def. Erica Engberg, UIW, 6-0, 6-3.
5 - Alex Adams, UIW, def. Rose Cabato, UCO, 6-4, 6-3.
6 - Karen Rodriguez, UIW, def. Meredith Marney, UCO, 6-1, 6-1.