INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Central Oklahoma tennis team learned its opponent for the national quarterfinals next week. The Bronchos will take on Indiana University of Pennsylvania May 19 at 11 a.m. (CST) in Surprise, Arizona, the NCAA announced Wednesday.
UCO drew the No. 3 seed in the national quarterfinals. The Bronchos are currently ranked No. 3 in the country in the latest poll. Central is 20-1 this season and on an 18-game win streak heading to Arizona. UCO won the MIAA regular season title and followed that with a tournament conference title two weeks ago and then an NCAA Central Regional title this past weekend.
IUP is 15-3 overall this season, on an eight-game win streak, and also won the regular season title in its league, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Indiana won its first match in the PSAC Championship and then was awarded the league title due to health & safety protocols preventing the final match from being played. IUP also won two matches to win the NCAA Atlantic Regional title earlier this week.
Central moved up from No. 4 in the country to No. 3 last week. IUP is currently ranked 29th in the land. The Bronchos have three individuals ranked in the ITA's Top 50 Singles rankings and two teams ranked in the ITA's Top 25 Doubles rankings. IUP does not have any individuals ranked in singles or doubles play this season.
The winner of next Wednesday's quarterfinal will advance to the national semifinals and take on the winner of (2) Barry and (7) Franklin-Pierce at 11 a.m. Thursday. The 2021 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis National Championship is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m.
NCAA Division II National Championship
At Surprise, Ariz.
(All Times Central)
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, May 19
(1) UIndy vs. (8) St. Mary's, 11 a.m.
(2) Barry vs. (7) Franklin-Pierce, 11 a.m.
(3) Central Oklahoma vs. (6) Indiana, Pa., 11 a.m.
(4) Columbus State vs. (5) Hawaii Pacific, 11 a.m.
Semifinals
Thursday, May 20
UIndy/St. Mary's vs. Columbus State/Hawaii Pacific, 11 a.m.
Central Oklahoma/Indiana vs. Barry/Franklin-Pierce, 11 a.m.
Championship
Semifinal winners, 11 a.m.
