By: Karringtin Deffabaugh and Catherine Spicer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) —

Arkansas Tennis is back in action after both teams were previously cut due to budget matters in April. The return has been centered around eagerness to play again.

After the news broke, supporters worked to raise money. The Razorbacks then got news that they would be returning this season. 

“This community means a lot to me personally. I have a daughter and started a family here, so it was really crazy to deal with and kind of shocking,” said head coach Tucker Clary. 

Freshman team member Celine Simunyu said she was not sure what her career would look like after the setback.

 “I was a redshirt last year, so I was able to sit and watch and support my team, and it was something so special,” Simunyu said. “I was excited to be a part of that this season. So obviously when that news was told to us, it was like, oh, I might be in the same situation again, that I’ve worked every day with my teammates.”  

Clary wanted the team to prepare for what could happen to be successful. 

“The good news is we didn’t even have a chance to go through everything because we brought it back so fast, but it was something you thought would never happen,” Clary said.

Despite the setback, Simunyu knew Arkansas was her calling.

“When the program came back, I was so happy and able to fight with this team that I chose from day one,” Simunyu said.  

Both teams started their first tournament back playing in the International Tennis Federation, with the women’s tournament in Nashville and the men’s tournament in Fayetteville.