The Colorado Buffaloes women’s tennis team secured their third consecutive home victory, defeating Miami Ohio 6-1 at the Meadows Club in Boulder on Friday night. The win concludes the team’s January matches.
Head coach Anthony Pham acknowledged the challenge posed by Miami Ohio, stating, “Did we play our best? No, but that think a lot had to do with Miami. They got a lot of credit to them. They played very well and pushed us in a lot of the courts. That will pay dividends, it’s only going to help.”
The Buffs started strong in doubles competition, with Pia Rebec and Aya El Sayed earning a quick win at No. 2 doubles. Anya Nelson and Ema Bubalo followed with their 34th victory as a duo, which now places them fifth for most doubles career wins in program history.
Pham commented on the match’s intensity: “They definitely put us in some uncomfortable situations and moments on a lot of courts. And that’s going to continue to happen throughout the season, especially when we get into Big 12 play.”
In singles play, Colorado won five out of six matches. Rebec and Lera Alexin claimed straight-set victories at No. 3 and No. 4 singles respectively. Rixt van der Werff clinched the overall match for Colorado after coming back from losing her second set at the top spot.
Freshman Lani Brotman also overcame an early deficit to win her match at No. 5 singles after dropping the first set in a tiebreaker.
Reflecting on her return as a doubles partner with El Sayed after nearly a year apart, Rebec said: “It’s been almost a year since I played with Aya, it was amazing,” adding that “the atmosphere was very good. It’s always good to see everyone happy and enjoying what they do.”
Rebec described her singles performance: “I felt a bit uncomfortable during the match, but I listened to my coach. He told me to just stay focused, put the balls in, and stay strong. And that’s exactly what I did, and it got me through the match.”
The only singles loss for Colorado came at No. 2 where Ema Bubalo fell in three sets.
Coach Pham looked ahead to their next opponent: “Every time we play Denver, I feel like it’s a battle,” he said. “We’ll rest up, get a good day of practice tomorrow and just be ready to battle Sunday.”
Colorado faces Denver Pioneers next on Sunday at Denver Tennis Park.
This contest marked Colorado’s first-ever matchup against Miami Ohio’s women’s tennis team and resulted in victory for the Buffaloes.
Nelson and Bubalo’s doubles partnership achieved its 34th career win together—fifth all-time for Colorado.
Rebec and El Sayed recorded their 20th career win as doubles partners upon reuniting.
Van der Werff has now won four straight singles matches since late October.
Both Rebec (No. 3) and Alexin (No. 4) remain undefeated this season at their respective positions.
