UCO tennis places third at ITA Indoor National Championship
Tanner JohnsonThe University of Central Oklahoma tennis team went 3-1 at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Championships at Edmond Center Court. The Bronchos beat Flagler College 4-2 on Friday to advance to the semifinals on Saturday. They lost to the University of Indianapolis in the semifinals 4-0, then they beat Angelo State 4-0 on Sunday.
“I’m really proud of this team, this is a big accomplishment,” UCO head tennis coach Jaron Maestas said. “We really wanted to come out and play our best today and make sure we left this tournament with a win and they did that today.”
On Friday, Central won in a comeback. The Bronchos dropped the doubles point. They lost the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles. They had a lead at No. 2 doubles but the match was not finished.
In singles play, Adel-Byanu Abidullina beat Eden Schlagenhauf. She won the first set 6-2, and then went on to win the second set 6-1.
True freshman Blythe Buntrock gave the Bronchos a 2-1 lead after winning 6-2, 7-5.
At No. 4 singles, Paola Landin lost 6-2, 7-5 to even the match at 2-2, but Central would answer right back with Nikki Boyar winning the No. 6 singles 7-6, 7-6 to put them back in front, 3-2.
At No. 2 singles, Mae Canete clinched the match for the Bronchos. She won 6-2 in the first set before losing 7-5 in the second set, but she would respond by winning the third set 6-0 to give the Bronchos the 4-2 victory.
On Saturday, Indianapolis took the doubles point with wins at the No. 2 spot (6-2) and the No. 3 spot (6-3). Central trailed 4-3 in the unfinished No. 1 spot.
Indianapolis won each of the matches in singles play, and wins at No. 1, No. 3, and No. 6 clinched it for them.
On Sunday, the Bronchos won the doubles point with wins at No. 2 and No. 3. The Bronchos won at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 in singles to clinch the match.
Landin and Canete won 6-3 at the second spot in the lineup and Boyar and Buntrock won 6-4 in the third spot.
Adel-Byanu Abidullina won 6-1, 6-4 at No. 1 singles. Canete also won 6-0, 6-1, at No. 2 singles. Landin gave the Bronchos the sweep with a 7-5, 6-3 win at No. 4.
The Bronchos play next against Texas A&M-Kingsville and St. Mary’s in San Antonio, Texas on Friday.