Las Vegas Triumph: Colorado Buffaloes Tennis Team Shines
The Colorado Buffaloes tennis squad wrapped up an impressive weekend in Las Vegas, extending their winning streak to five with commanding victories over Gonzaga and Utah Tech. With these wins, the Buffaloes now boast an 8-2 record for the season.
Leading the charge, Pia Rebec and Lera Alexin both delivered flawless performances, each going 3-0. Rebec's prowess was evident as she clinched her doubles match and both singles encounters, while Alexin mirrored this success with two singles victories and a win in doubles.
Aya El Sayed, Rixt van der Werff, and Anya Nelson also shone brightly, each recording 2-0 days. Lani Brotman put in a strong shift with a 3-1 performance, and both Heidi Crncan and Yukiko Ikedo contributed with wins. Willow Gretch, paired with Crncan, was in the lead during her doubles match against Utah Tech when play was halted.
Head Coach Anthony Pham praised the team's resilience and maturity, especially against a challenging Gonzaga side. "Playing three matches in two days is no easy task," Pham noted. "Our group did a really good job and took a mature approach to the day with Utah Tech."
With the non-conference schedule now behind them, the Buffaloes are gearing up for Big 12 play. They'll hit the road next week for matchups against Iowa State and Kansas State. Pham emphasized the importance of rest and preparation as they face these upcoming challenges.
Match Highlights
The Buffaloes started strong against Gonzaga, with Brotman and Nelson quickly securing a 6-1 win in doubles. El Sayed and Rebec followed suit, sealing the doubles point with a 6-2 victory. In singles, despite an early setback with Brotman's loss, Alexin, El Sayed, and Rebec stepped up to secure the 4-1 win.
Against Utah Tech, Alexin and van der Werff dominated at No. 1 doubles, winning 6-1. Brotman and Nelson clinched the doubles point with a 6-2 victory.
The singles matches were a showcase of Buffaloes’ strength, with van der Werff, Alexin, and Crncan all winning decisively to clinch the match early. Rebec, Ikedo, and Brotman completed the sweep for a 7-0 victory.
What’s Next?
The Buffaloes are set to begin their Big 12 campaign with away matches against Iowa State and Kansas. They’ll return to Boulder for home clashes against Kansas State and Oklahoma State in early March.
The team’s performance in Las Vegas sets a promising tone as they prepare to tackle the challenges of conference play. With momentum on their side, the Buffaloes are poised to make a significant impact in the Big 12 this season.