Bolivar, Mo. - For the third straight year, the Southwest Baptist University women's tennis team has claimed the NCAA Central Regional title and have advanced to the NCAA National Championships with a 5-1 victory over Arkansas Tech on Monday morning. With the victory, the Bearcats improve to 23-2 on the season.

SBU started out strong, with Fanni Varga and Christina Zentai picking up a victory at #1 doubles to give the Bearcats a 1-0 advantage. ATU came back and claimed #3 doubles before Maria Josie Zehnder and Lani Tuemmers picked up a victory in #2 doubles to give SBU a 2-1 lead heading into singles play. The Bearcats had no problems handling the Golden Suns, as Varga, Zentai, and Tuemmers all won in straight sets to propel SBU to a 5-1 victory.

The Bearcats will now advance to the Final 16 of the NCAA National Championships. SBU will resume action on Wednesday, May 13 when they play Indianapolis of the GLVC with action begining at 5:00 p.m. from Surprise, Arizona.

#19 Southwest Baptist 5, Arkansas Tech 1
 
Singles
1. #14 Fanni Varga (SBU) def. Tamara Bell (ATU) 6-0, 6-0
2. #40 Christina Zentai (SBU) def. Bohdana Sardak (ATU) 6-1, 6-1
3. Maria Josie Zehnder (SBU) vs. Ulga Leyshyna (ATU) 4-5, unfinished
4. Lani Tuemmers (SBU) def. Laura Sanchez (ATU) 6-0, 6-2
5. Beatrix Federer (SBU) vs. Camila Roca (ATU) 6-3, 1-2, unfinished
6. Zorana Jovanovic (SBU) vs. Vandella Suico (ATU) 3-6, 1-0, unfinished
 
Doubles
1. #11 Varga/Zentai (SBU) def. Sardak/Leyshyna (ATU) 8-6
2. Zehnder/Tuemmers (SBU) def. Bell/Roca (ATU) 8-6
3. Sanchez/Suico (ATU) def. Federer/Jovanovic (SBU) 8-4