Oct. 18, 2012

TULSA, Okla. -

Freshman Carol Benito won both of her matches during qualifying during the opening day of the USTA/ITA Central Region Championship on Thursday, October 18, at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center.

Benito defeated Jennefer Dien of Southern Illinois 6-2, 6-2, in the first round of qualifying, and dispatched Brooke Uzrendowski of Saint Louis, 6-0, 6-1, in the final round of qualifying. She will face Minnesota's Tereza Brichacova tomorrow.

Benito joins five other Golden Hurricane athletes in the main draw, including the tournament's second seed in Sam Vickers. Vickers won the tournament a year ago, which was also held at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center. Vickers will face Iowa's Shelby Talcott tomorrow. Isaura Enrique will face Claudine Paulson, Michelle Farley will compete against Aria Lambert, Maria Sant'Anna will match up against Izabella Zgierska and Saana Sarateinen will face Satjaporn Mahajaroenkul.

In doubles play, Vickers and Enrique, along with Farley and Saarteinen will receive first round byes. Sant'Anna and Renata Kuricova will face Simona Horsikyan and Sasha Ruocco, and Benito and Belin Rivera will face Maddie Cook and Madelin Jolly in the first round of douples play.

USTA/ITA Central Region Championships

Michael D. Case Tennis Center

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Thursday, October 17, 2012 - Results

Qualifying Singles First Round

Belin Rivera (TU) def. Maddie Cook (SLU) 6-4, 6-3

Renata Kuricova (TU) def. Stephani Gonzalez (UCA) 6-0, 6-0

Qualifying Singles Second Round

Nell Boyd (DU) def. Renata Kuricova (TU) 6-3, 6-1

Zita Engbroks (OU) def. Belin Rivera (TU) 6-4, 2-6 (10-3)

Carol Benito (TU) def. Brooke Uzrendowski (SLU) 6-0, 6-1