LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV senior Cindy Hu moved into the quarterfinals of the inaugural Mountain West Fall Qualifier being staged starting Wednesday at the Darling Tennis Center.
 
Hu, seeded fifth in singles, downed Niyati Kukreti of Utah State, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the opening round and then advanced when her Round of 16 opponent, Matilde Magrini of Fresno State, retired because of injury with Hu leading 3-0.
 
The Rebel pair of Hu and Coco Zhao, seeded number one overall at the event in doubles play, enjoyed a first-day bye.
 
In the pilot year of this new championship format, each NCAA Division 1 AQ-eligible conference will host a tournament to designate one singles player and one doubles pair on both the men's and women's side to represent them in the ITA Conference Masters tournament, which is one of four qualifying pathways to this year's NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships.
 
2024 MOUNTAIN WEST FALL QUALIFIER
At Darling Tennis Center, Las Vegas
Oct. 2-5
 
SINGLES ROUND OF 32
(5) Cindy Hu (UNLV) def. Niyati Kukreti (USU) 6-3, 7-6 (4)
Coco Zhao (UNLV) def. (6) Sofia Pizzoni (FS) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1
 
SINGLES ROUND OF 16
(5) Cindy Hu (UNLV) def. Matilde Magrini (FS) 3-0, retired
Sdena Safarova (BSU) def. (6) Coco Zhao (UNLV) 6-3, 6-1
 
DOUBLES ROUND OF 16
(1) Hu/Zhao (UNLV) BYE