Central Places Three In National Quarterfinals At ITA Cup

ROME, Ga. – The University of Central Oklahoma Thursday placed three individuals in the eight-person quarterfinals of the 2021 ITA Cup Singles draw. Mae Canete, Christine Canete, and Adel-Byanu Abidullina all won their opening-round matches to advance to Friday's quarters.

"I'm really proud of them," UCO head tennis coach Joe Vann said. "We were already thrilled to have three of the top 16 in the country playing here. But they're clearly not just happy to be here. They played well today and found a way to win. And now we're looking forward to seeing what they can do tomorrow."

Central Oklahoma already made history with three student-athletes making it to the ITA Cup in the same draw. Now the Bronchos will make up almost 40 percent of the field of national quarterfinalists.

Mae won her first ITA Cup match Thursday morning. The sophomore, who didn't get an opportunity to compete last fall due to the pandemic, beat Luisa Hrda of Flagler College 7-5, 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals. Mae improved to 10-0 this season with the win and is now 33-0 in her career in the Bronze & Blue.

Christine, a freshman, won her ITA Cup debut Thursday morning by a near identical score to her older sister. Christine won 7-5, 6-3 over St. Mary's Ashley Pershorn to advance to the quarterfinals.

Abidullina, a junior and two-time MIAA Player of the Year, beat Natalie Kallmunzerova of Southern New Hampshire 6-2, 6-2.

Mae and Christine also advanced in the ITA Cup Doubles draw with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Angelo State's Ayda Guler and Ramitha Irrinki.

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Players Mentioned

Adel-Byanu Abidullina: 5' 10"; Junior

Mae Canete: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Christine Canete: 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Adel-Byanu Abidullina
: 5' 10"; Junior

Mae Canete
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Christine Canete
: 5' 5"; Freshman