Women's Tennis 2/25/2021 9:30:00 AM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Hosts ITA Indoor National Championship

EDMOND – The University of Central Oklahoma tennis team, ranked No. 8 in the country, begins its quest for the ITA Indoor National Championship Friday with the Bronchos facing Flagler College (Fla.) in the quarterfinals. First serve is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. at the new Edmond Center Court.

"We're glad and thankful to host the event again this year," UCO head tennis coach Jaron Maestas said. "It's a great tournament and great for tennis and we're excited to be a part of it."

SEE THE ITA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE HERE

Central Oklahoma is one of eight teams invited to the tournament and is hosting it for the second time in as many years. The Bronchos hosted the ITA Indoor National Championship at Oak Tree last season and finished seventh in the tournament.

The Bronchos are the No. 4 seed in the tournament. Indianapolis, Columbus State and West Florida were drawn ahead of UCO. Flagler is the No. 5 seed. Angelo State, Southwest Baptist and Midwestern State are also in the event.

Central Oklahoma is just 1-0 this season. The Bronchos did win an exhibition contest to go with its win over No. 16-rated and No. 8-seeded Midwestern State. UCO swept MSU 7-0 earlier this month.

Freshman standout Mae Canete has been solid for the Bronchos in the short time she's been on the court this season. Canete, with two exhibition wins, is 3-0 in singles play and is 2-1 in doubles play. In singles matches, she's won 6-2, 6-1/6-1, 6-0/6-0, 6-0.

Canete joins the already stacked lineup including four All-Americans. Adel-Byanu Abidullina, Nikki Boyar, Isabella Dunlap, and Paola Landin have all helped Central to a strong start in a season that is just getting started. All four won in UCO's sweep of Midwestern State in both singles and doubles.

Abidullina was ranked 26th nationally and Dunlap 29th in a September ITA ranking. Boyar and Landin were also ranked seventh nationally as a doubles team in that same poll.

Flagler College of St. Augustine, Florida comes to Edmond as the No. 10 team in the country and the No. 5 seed in the tournament.

Here is the complete schedule for this weekend's ITA Indoor National Championship.

Friday's Matches
(3) West Florida vs. (6) Angelo State, 8 a.m.
(2) Columbus State vs. (7) Southwest Baptist, 11:15 a.m.
(1) Indianapolis vs. (8) Midwestern State, 2:30 p.m.
(4) Central Oklahoma vs. (5) Flagler, 5:45 p.m.
Saturday's Matches
UWF/ASU loser vs. CSU/SBU loser, 8 a.m.
UWF/ASU winner vs. CSU/SBU winner, 11:15 a.m.
UINDY/MSU loser vs. UCO/FC loser, 2:30 p.m.
UINDY/MSU winner vs. UCO/FC winner, 5:45 p.m.
Sunday's Matches
Seventh place match, 8 a.m.
Fifth place match, 11:15 a.m.
National Championship, 2:30 p.m.
Third place match, 5:45 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Adel-Byanu Abidullina: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Nikki Boyar: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Isabella Dunlap: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Paola Landin: 5' 0"; Junior

Mae Canete: 5' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Adel-Byanu Abidullina
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Nikki Boyar
: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Isabella Dunlap
: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Paola Landin
: 5' 0"; Junior

Mae Canete
: 5' 3"; Freshman