The Colorado Buffaloes women’s tennis team secured two victories on Saturday in Las Vegas, defeating Gonzaga 4-1 and Utah Tech 7-0 at the Fertitta Tennis Complex. These wins extended the team’s current streak to five matches and improved their overall season record to 8-2.
Pia Rebec and Lera Alexin each went undefeated for the day, with Rebec winning her only doubles match and both singles matches, while Alexin also claimed victory in both of her singles contests and one completed doubles match. Aya El Sayed, Rixt van der Werff, and Anya Nelson all posted two wins each. Lani Brotman played four matches with three wins, while Heidi Crncan and Yukiko Ikedo contributed a win apiece. Willow Gretsch was leading in her doubles match with Crncan against Utah Tech when play was halted.
Head Coach Anthony Pham commented on the team’s performance: “A good weekend for our Buffs. Playing three matches in two days is no easy task, and our group did a really good job. Gonzaga was a tricky match for us today, and we did a good job and took a mature approach to the day with Utah Tech.”
With these results, Colorado concludes its non-conference schedule for the season. The Buffaloes will start Big 12 Conference play next week with away matches against Iowa State and Kansas State.
“We’re done with the non-conference schedule and headed into Big 12 play next week,” Pham said. “We’ll spend the next couple of days resting up and then we’ll prepare for a couple of tough matches on the road. We have a few things we need to focus on to be ready next weekend but proud of our team this weekend.”
In doubles action against Gonzaga, Brotman and Nelson gave Colorado an early advantage by winning at No. 3 doubles (6-1). El Sayed and Rebec then clinched the doubles point at No. 1 (6-2). In singles play, Gonzaga won first at No. 4 before Alexin evened things up for Colorado by winning at No. 5 (6-2, 6-3). El Sayed followed with a straight-set win at No. 1 singles (6-4, 6-4), putting Colorado ahead before Rebec secured victory by defeating Hayes (6-3, 6-1).
After a short break between matches, Colorado faced Utah Tech. Alexin and van der Werff moved up to No. 1 doubles for a decisive win (6-1), while Brotman and Nelson clinched another point at No. 2 (6-2). In singles competition versus Utah Tech, van der Werff led off with a dominant performance (6-1, 6-0), followed by Alexin’s win (6-1, 6-1) that set up Crncan’s clinching result (6-1, 6-1). The Buffaloes swept all remaining singles matches for a comprehensive team victory.
Next week marks the beginning of conference play as Colorado travels to face Iowa State on Friday followed by Kansas State on Sunday before returning home for further Big 12 contests.
