Women's Tennis 5/17/2022 5:45:00 PM Chris Brannick

Central Oklahoma Blanks Washburn, Advances To Elite 8

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – Central Oklahoma cruised through the Sweet 16 and onto the Elite 8 Tuesday with a crushing 4-0 victory over Washburn at the 2022 NCAA Division II Tennis Championship at Sanlando Park.

Central Oklahoma won the doubles point with victories at the No. 3 and No. 2 positions. UCO was a point away from a win at No. 1 doubles.

Central then picked up three quick wins in Singles play to advance.

"We played well today and that was important for us," UCO head tennis coach Joe Vann said. "For our first match out here to play well and set a tone. We did a good job today and now we get ready for the next one."

Nikki Boyar and Blythe Buntrock won 6-3 at No. 3 doubles before Adel-Byanu Abidullina and Tizia Brocks won 6-1 at the No. 2 spot to give Central Oklahoma the early doubles point.

Mae Canete and Christine Canete, the No. 1 ranked doubles team in the country, was leading 5-1 at the No. 1 position when their match was abandoned.

As play turned to singles, it was Christine Canete that led the way.

The true freshman, ranked eighth nationally, won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles to give the Bronchos a 2-0 lead in the match.

Mae, ranked third nationally, was second with a 6-2, 6-1 win at No. 1 singles to make it 3-0, Central.

Grace Chadick, at No. 4 singles, then clinched the match. She won 6-1, 6-4 to give Central Oklahoma the deciding fourth point and push the Bronchos into the Elite 8.

Central Oklahoma improved to 22-1 on the season with the win. The Bronchos advance and will play Azusa Pacific in the national quarterfinals on Wednesday at 4 p.m. (Eastern). The advancing team will get Thursday off before Friday's national semifinals.

The 2022 NCAA Division II Women's Tennis National Championship is scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Adel-Byanu Abidullina: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Nikki Boyar: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Blythe Buntrock: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Mae Canete: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Tizia Brocks: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Christine Canete: 5' 5"; Freshman

Grace Chadick: 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Adel-Byanu Abidullina
: 5' 10"; Sophomore

Nikki Boyar
: 5' 2"; Sophomore

Blythe Buntrock
: 5' 8"; Sophomore

Mae Canete
: 5' 3"; Sophomore

Tizia Brocks
: 5' 9"; Graduate Student

Christine Canete
: 5' 5"; Freshman

Grace Chadick
: 5' 6"; Freshman