Colorado’s women’s tennis team began its three-match weekend with a 4-0 loss to Alabama at the Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis. The Buffaloes, now holding a 3-2 record for the season, were unable to overcome Alabama, which remains undefeated at 7-0.
Head coach Anthony Pham commented on the outcome: “Tough result for our group today. The margins in these matches are so slim and I thought Alabama handled those match defining moments better than we did today. We’ve have two really great opportunities on Sunday and I know our team will be ready to take advantage of them.”
In doubles play, Alabama secured the first point by winning at both the No. 1 and No. 3 positions with identical 6-1 scores. Colorado’s pairing of Lera Alexin and Rixt van der Werff was leading their match at No. 2 doubles when the point was clinched, leaving their match unfinished.
During singles competition, Kristina Paskaauakas, ranked No. 45 nationally, defeated Aya El Sayed in straight sets at the top spot. Klara Milicevic extended Alabama’s lead by overcoming Rixt van der Werff after a competitive first set. Maria Andrienko then clinched the match for Alabama by defeating Pia Rebec.
Several matches were left unfinished after Alabama secured victory. Lani Brotman battled Karla Bartel to a tiebreaker in the second set before play stopped. Lera Alexin also pushed her singles match against Amina Salibayeva into a second-set battle after winning a close first-set tiebreaker.
Colorado will continue its weekend schedule with a doubleheader on Sunday, facing Minnesota at 8 a.m., followed by St. Thomas at 2 p.m.
