Other Sports
Bears discontinuing women’s tennis program in ‘best interest’ of UCA
Moving forward, UCA will feature 10 NCAA Division I varsity women’s programs and eight varsity men’s teams
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas will no longer offer women’s tennis as one of its varsity sports programs, it was announced Friday.
Moving forward, UCA will feature 10 NCAA Division I varsity women’s programs and eight varsity men’s teams.
“Decisions like this are incredibly difficult to make, and are not done without considerable thought and review,” said Matt Whiting, UCA director of athletics. “In this ever-changing landscape of college athletics, it is imperative that we constantly review and evaluate our sports portfolio to ensure that we are making the investments needed to position Central Arkansas Athletics for success now and in the future.
“Ultimately, this decision is in the best interest of the University and our athletics department at this time.”
UCA women’s tennis coach Casey Wharton recently stepped down for personal reasons after a long career at the University.
“We have been incredibly fortunate to have had Casey Wharton leading our women’s tennis program since 2014,” said Whiting. “I am deeply grateful for all that he has done for our program and the University of Central Arkansas. I also want to express my appreciation to all who have competed for our program and represented our University and athletics department in such a positive manner.
“We are committed to supporting our current women’s tennis student-athletes and assisting them in every way possible through this transition.”
The 2024-25 tennis roster consisted of eight student-athletes, with no seniors.
Whiting has been in contact with all of the current tennis student-athletes, all of which will receive full releases to transfer to another athletic program, and will be eligible to compete immediately according to NCAA regulations.
If they choose to remain at Central Arkansas, their scholarships will be honored throughout the remainder of their academic careers.
Since 2017, Central Arkansas athletics has added beach volleyball and STUNT, two fast-rising NCAA women’s sports, as varsity programs.
The 18 programs for the Bears and Sugar Bears in 2025-26 will be: indoor volleyball (W); beach volleyball (W); softball (W), golf (M&W); cross country (M&W); football (M); baseball (M); indoor track and field (M&W); outdoor track and field (M&W); basketball (M&W); soccer (M&W) and STUNT (W).
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
Other Sports
Bears make history with double sweep at 2025 ASUN Outdoor Championships
UCA swept both men’s and women’s titles at the 2025 ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships, marking a historic milestone
The Central Arkansas Bears etched their names into the record books in Jacksonville, Fla., by sweeping both the men’s and women’s titles at the 2025 ASUN Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
It marks the first time in program history that both teams captured Atlantic Sun Conference crowns in the same season, signaling a new era of excellence for UCA athletics.
Dominant Performances Across the Board
The UCA women’s team totaled an impressive 192 points, finishing well ahead of Lipscomb (132) and Eastern Kentucky (97).
Their success was built on victories in the sprints, throws, vaults, and relays. Event champions included Joia Perry in the Hammer Throw (62.89m), Jennifer Peake in the Javelin (43.84m), Bailee Villavaso in the Pole Vault (3.91m), the 4x100m Relay squad (44.56), and Raghan Allen in the 100m (11.42).
The men’s team was equally commanding, racking up 225.5 points and outpacing Lipscomb (141) and North Florida (130). Jeremiah Boudreaux emerged as the meet’s Most Valuable Performer, scoring 27 points with wins in the 110m Hurdles (13.98), 200m (20.95), and as a member of the championship 4x100m Relay team.
Podium Depth and Team Spirit
UCA’s depth was on full display, with numerous athletes reaching the podium.
Karis Martin finished second in the long jump (6.01m), Davin James took third in the high jump (1.64m), and Kylie Coleman secured third in the pole vault (3.48m). Madisyn Crandall earned third in the heptathlon (4707 points), while Brenae Allen was runner-up in the 200m (23.59).
“To see both teams come together and make history is a testament to their hard work and belief in each other. This is a special group, and I couldn’t be prouder of their commitment to our program’s vision,” Coach Josey Weaver said.
A Historic Milestone and a Bright Future
This sweep underscores Central Arkansas’s rapid ascent within the ASUN since joining the conference.
The Bears’ ability to win across multiple disciplines-sprints, throws, jumps, and relays-demonstrates the program’s depth and competitive edge.
With a roster featuring standout underclassmen like Joia Perry and Bailee Villavaso, UCA’s future looks promising.
As the Bears celebrate this historic achievement, the focus now shifts to building on this momentum for future championships and continued growth on the national stage.
Other Sports
Beach Bears split in opening day of UCA Beach Invitational
In opening match of day, UCA showcased depth and resilience, defeating Mary Hardin-Baylor in four of five flights
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas’ Beach Bears opened the UCA Beach Invitational with a solid showing on Friday, picking up a 4-1 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor before falling in a hard-fought 3-2 battle against Texas A&M-Kingsville at the Beach Bear Sand Courts.
In the opening match of the day, UCA showcased depth and resilience, defeating Mary Hardin-Baylor in four of five flights.
The Bears earned straight-set victories at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions, while the No. 1 and No. 5 pairs battled through three sets to secure wins.
Bears volleyball player Reegan Stewert returns a shot in the UCA Beach Invitational Volleyball. / Ted McClenning-allBears+ Images
The No. 1 duo of Anna Linskey and Riley Melton started strong with a 21-14 first set before needing a decisive third to down Farrar and Northup, 15-11.
In the No. 5 flight, Ella Weilert and Emmie Tidwell delivered one of the most thrilling finishes of the day, outlasting Sawyer and Perkins 17-15 in the third set after dropping the opener.
Madelyn White and Kenzie Foley cruised to a 21-15, 21-9 win at No. 3, while Liliana Irizarry and Audrey Cathcart turned in a consistent performance to win 21-17, 21-17 at No. 4.
UCA’s Katie Atkinson returns a serve Friday at the UCA Beach Invitational. / Ted McClenning-allBears+ Images
UCA’s momentum carried into the afternoon matchup with Texas A&M-Kingsville, where three of the five scoring flights went the distance.
The Beach Bears came up just short, falling 3-2 in a tightly contested dual.
White and Foley remained undefeated on the day, grabbing a straight-set win at No. 2, 21-17, 24-22. Irizarry and Cathcart also picked up their second win of the day at No. 5, bouncing back from a first-set loss to win 18-21, 21-19, 15-12.
Despite a strong opening set from Linskey and Melton at the top flight, TAMUK’s Pollard and Huesca stormed back to take the next two, 21-6 and 15-9. At No. 3, Katie Atkinson and Naya Tan nearly pulled off the win, falling in a tight third set 16-14.
UCA will return to the sand Saturday morning for a pivotal 8:00 a.m. matchup against UT Martin before closing out the tournament with a Senior Day celebration at 3:00 p.m. against Hendrix College.
UCA’s Liliana-Irizary returns a serve Friday at the UCA Beach Invitational. / Ted McClenning-allBears+ Images
UCA 4, Mary Hardin-Baylor 1
No. Linskey/Melton (UCA) def. Farrar/Northup (UMHB) (21-14, 18-21, 15-11)
No. 2 Green/Thoms (UMHB) def, Tan/Atkinson (UCA) (21-12, 21-19)
No. 3 White/Foley (UCA) def. Clark/Adkins (UMHB) (21-15, 21-9)
No. 4 Irizarry/Cathcart (UCA) def. Hughes/De La Fuente (UMHB) (21-17, 21-17)
No. 5 Weilert/Tidwell (UCA) def. Sawyer/Perkins (UMHB) (19-21, 24-22, 17-15)
No. 6 Dickerson/Siewert (UCA) vs. Salas/Rojas (UMHB) (16-21, 23-21)
UCA’s Naya Tan and Reegan Stewert returns a serve Friday at the UCA Beach Invitational. / Ted McClenning-allBears+ Images
Texas A&M-Kingsville 3, UCA 2
No. 1 Pollard/Huesca (TAMUK) def. Linskey/Melton (UCA) (19-21, 21-6, 15-9)
No. 2 White/Foley (UCA) def. Harrington/Vasquez (TAMUK) (21-17, 24-22)
No. 3 McCarthy/Betsa (TAMUK) def. Atkinson/Tan (UCA) (15-21, 21-13, 16-14)
No. 4 Stiefer/Daugherty (TAMUK) def. Wellert/Siewet (UCA) (13-21, 21-13, 15-6)
No. 5 Irizarry/Cathcart (UCA) def. Presmanes-Garate/Williams (TAMU) (18-21, 21-19, 15-12)
No. 6 Tully.Layzell (UCA) vs. Evans/Freeman (TAMUK) (21-7, 21-15)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Central Arkansas put on a dominant performance Friday afternoon, shutting out Austin Peay 5-0 at the Atkins Family Beach Volleyball Facility.
UCA controlled the match from start to finish, securing straight-set victories across all five courts.
The No. 1 pairing of Anna Linskey and Riley Melton set the tone with a strong 21-17, 21-10 win over Grace Austin and Jordan Morris.
In the No. 2 flight, Madelyn White and Kenzie Foley battled through a close first set before pulling away for a 21-19, 21-15 victory.
The Beach Bears kept their momentum rolling in the No. 3 spot as Ella Layzell and Katie Atkinson took care of business with a 21-17, 21-18 win over Anna Kate Clark and Emily Freel.
Meanwhile, Reegan Siewert and Audrey Cathcart controlled the fourth flight, claiming a 21-17, 21-16 triumph.
Rounding out the sweep, Hadley Tully and Liliana Irizary fought off a late surge from Emma Loiars and Angelena Greene, sealing the match with a thrilling 24-22 second set after taking the first 21-17.
Central Arkansas 5, Austin Peay 0
1. Anna Linskey/Riley Melton (UCA) def. AUSTIN, Grace/MORRIS, Jordan (APSU) 21-17, 21-10
2. Madelyn White/Kenzie Foley (UCA) def. COOPER, Alyson/LASATER, Bailey (APSU) 21-19, 21-15
3. Ella Layzell/Katie Atkinson (UCA) def. CLARK, Anna Kate/FREEL, Emily (APSU) 21-17, 21-18
4. Reegan Siewert/Audrey Cathcart (UCA) def. MACKENZIE, Gabriella/BENETEAU, Jordyn (APSU) 21-17, 21-16
5. Hadley Tully/Liliana Irizary (UCA) def. LOIARS, Emma/GREENE, Angelena (APSU) 21-17, 24-22
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