Bowling Green - UC women's tennis put together a strong showing during the ITA Tennis Regional this past weekend. The one to make it the furthest out of that group was Meiri Okuwaki, who knocked off several top competitors before finishing as runner-up in the singles bracket. After an impressive seasons in 2021-2022, the Patriots showed they are once again going to be a force to be reckoned with.


Okuwaki, was a force to be reckoned with, as she played her way into the semifinals both in singles and also doubles. After cruising into the round of 16 on Friday, Okuwaki was set to face off against her teammate Catherine Rae. Okuwaki took the match in straight sets 6-2, 6-3, as Okuwaki advanced to the elite eight. The reigning MSC Freshman of the year took down #41 Alexandra Parra of Lindsey Wilson 6-2, 6-0 to advance to the semifinals for the first time in her career. 
 

In the semifinals, Okuwaki faced her second straight Blue Raider, this time Rin Igarashir. The Saitama, Japan native notched a straight sets win 6-3, 6-2 to advance to the championship match, There she was tasked with 2020-21 NAIA First Team All-American Teodora Jovic from Union. Jovic took the first set 6-3, Okuwaki battled back in the second set forcing a tie-breaker before ultimately falling 7-6 to finish as the tournament runner-up. 
 

Laura Prieto won a pair of matches on day one to advance to round of 16. Prieto took the first set over Darija Mladenovic of Cumberland 7-6. The match eventually went to a third set and the sophomore fell 7-6. 
 

After seeing three of four doubles teams advance to day two of the event, the Patriots were left only one going into the semifinals. Number two seed, Meiri Okuwaki and Tessa Gray breezed through their first two matches with 6-1 wins after receiving a first round bye. In the semifinals the duo battled Challarapu and Parra of Lindsey Wilson falling 6-2. 

Patriots tennis will be back October 1 with the UC Homecoming Pro-Am. 
 

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