Lancaster to Compete in Qualifying Round

Oct. 20, 2011

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma women's tennis team starts competition at the 2011 USTA/ITA Central Region Championships on Thursday, Oct. 20, in Tulsa, Okla., at the Michael D. Case Tennis Center at the University of Tulsa.

The championship begins with the qualifying draw Thursday, while the Main Draw of both singles and doubles will begin Friday.

Senior Peta Maree Lancaster will compete in the singles qualifying round Thursday, while the other five Sooners will play in the Main Draw Friday.

The qualifying draw consists of two rounds of singles action. Players that win both matches in the qualifying round will advance to the Main Draw.

OU has won the Central Doubles Championship the last two years and also claimed the singles title in 2009. Former Sooner, Ana-Maria Constantinescu, won the singles title in 2009 and both doubles titles with partners Alice Radu (2010) and Teona Tsertsvadze (2009).

The Sooners are coming off a strong performance at the Wildcat Invitational at Northwestern University where the team finished with a combined record of 13-5 in singles and 6-5 in doubles.

Freshman Nicole Long leads the team in both singles and doubles with a 7-0 record in singles and 4-2 in doubles this fall.

Long and sophomore transfer Whitney Wofford started the season with 4-0 records after the Sooner Fall Invitational in Norman. Long remains undefeated in singles while Wofford is 6-1.

To follow the 2011 USTA/ITA Central Region Championships live, follow the link below.