Women's Tennis 1/17/2019 12:11:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO No. 9 In Initial ITA Rankings

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association Wednesday announced the first Oracle/ITA Division II national rankings ahead of the quickly approaching 2019 season and the University of Central Oklahoma tennis team came in at No. 9. The Bronchos are also the top-ranked team in the ITA's Central Regional rankings.

SEE THE COMPLETE RANKINGS HERE

Central Oklahoma is gearing up for the new season, which begins Feb. 9 in Tampa, Fla.

"It's good to be recognized, but we still have a lot of work to do when the matches start," UCO head tennis coach Jaron Maestas said. "This team is a really hard-working team and they are hungry to get better. We're ready to get going next month."

UCO also has the second-ranked individual in the country in freshman Isabella Dunlap. The Edmond, Okla. native had a dominating fall season that led her to the ITA Division II national championship in Rome, Ga.

Dunlap is also part of the 11th-ranked doubles team in the country with teammate and sophomore Paola Landin. The duo had an ITA Regional runner-up finish to highlight the fall campaign.

Central Oklahoma won a school record 20 matches last season and made the NCAA Division II women's tennis championship quarterfinals. The Bronchos are led by in 2019 seniors Kirtana Bhat and Alix Williams, who have combined to win over 200 matches in their careers. Junior Sarah Van Eeckhoudt also returns this season. Newcomers Adel Byanu, Nikki Boyar, and Jessica Lee will also play a role in winning matches for the Bronchos this year.

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Players Mentioned

Kirtana Bhat: 5' 7"; Senior

Paola Landin: 5' 0"; Sophomore

Sarah Van Eeckhoudt: 6' 0"; Junior

Alix Williams: 5' 8"; Senior

Isabella Dunlap: 5' 2"; Freshman

Adel-Byanu Abidullina: 5' 10"; Freshman

Nikki Boyar: 5' 2"; Freshman

Jessica Le: 5' 2"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kirtana Bhat
: 5' 7"; Senior

Paola Landin
: 5' 0"; Sophomore

Sarah Van Eeckhoudt
: 6' 0"; Junior

Alix Williams
: 5' 8"; Senior

Isabella Dunlap
: 5' 2"; Freshman

Adel-Byanu Abidullina
: 5' 10"; Freshman

Nikki Boyar
: 5' 2"; Freshman

Jessica Le
: 5' 2"; Freshman