Kansas City, MO – The University of the Cumberlands women's tennis team moved up one spot to No. 12 in the latest NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll, earning 181 points following a strong stretch of competition. 

Since the previous poll release, the Patriots posted a 2-1 record, highlighted by a pair of victories including a ranked win, improving their season mark to 9-3 overall. 

Cumberlands opened their stretch with a dominant 7-0 sweep of RV Grace (Ind.) at the UC Tennis Complex. The Patriots set the tone early by claiming the doubles point with wins on all three courts. The duo of Mahiro Hara and YuFang Liu secured a 6-3 victory at No. 1 doubles, while Victoria Zarate and Bryndis Rosa added a 7-5 win at No. 2 doubles. Marina Nagai and Rion Yanuma completed the sweep with a 6-4 triumph at the No. 3 position. 

The momentum carried into singles play where Cumberlands captured all six courts. Hara cruised to a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 4 singles, while Rosa followed with a 6-1, 6-3 victory at No. 2. YuFang Liu clinched the match with a 6-1, 6-2 decision at No. 5 singles before Yanuma (6-0, 6-1) and Zarate (6-2, 6-3) added wins. At the top of the lineup, Nagai battled through a three-set match to complete the sweep, defeating Jimena Ramirez 6-3, 6-7, (10-5). 

Cumberlands then faced a tough challenge against No. 6 Xavier (La.) in the opening round of the NAIA Blast-Off Tournament. Xavier claimed the doubles point and secured singles wins at the top three positions to earn a 4-2 victory. The Patriots' points came from Hara, who rallied for a 7-6, 6-1 win at No. 4 singles, and Liu, who posted a commanding 6-2, 6-1 victory at No. 6 singles. 

The Patriots bounced back the following day with an impressive 4-2 comeback win over No. 18 Dillard (La.). After dropping the doubles point, Cumberlands responded by winning four singles matches. Marina Nagai led the charge with a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 1 singles, while Hara delivered a dominant 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 4. Zarate battled to a 7-6 (8-5), 7-5 victory at No. 3 singles before Yanuma clinched the team win with a 6-1, 6-3 result at No. 5 singles. 

Other teams from the Mid-South Conference appearing in the poll include Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) at No. 2, Cumberland (Tenn.) at No. 19, while Bethel (Tenn.) and Campbellsville (Ky.) both received votes. 

The Patriots are back on the court on Wednesday, March 25, with a home match against Campbellsville (Ky.). The first serve is slated for 1:00 PM.  

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