Buffs Building Momentum as Road Tests Loom
BOULDER - After a dominant start to their spring season, the Colorado Buffaloes women’s tennis team is riding high and looking to carry that momentum into a pivotal weekend of competition.
Colorado opened its home slate with authority, sweeping both Montana State and Air Force in back-to-back matches. The Buffs didn’t drop a single point in either contest - a 7-0 win over Montana State and a 4-0 shutout against Air Force - showcasing depth and consistency across both singles and doubles play. It was the kind of start that sets a strong tone for the season and gives the squad confidence heading into February’s tougher stretch.
“It’s always nice to play at home,” head coach Anthony Pham said. “We’ve had a good month with practice and training, and getting those two matches in last week was big. The crowds here are always great, but whether we’re home or on the road, the focus stays the same - we’re trying to get better every time out.”
That mindset will be put to the test starting this Friday, when Colorado hosts Miami (Ohio) in what will be their final home match until early March. After that, the Buffs hit the road for the first time this spring, heading just down the highway to face in-state rival Denver on Sunday.
Miami (Ohio) enters Friday’s matchup still searching for its first win of the season, sitting at 0-4. On paper, it’s a favorable matchup for Colorado, but Pham isn’t letting his team look past it. The Buffs know the importance of starting strong and maintaining focus - especially with a tougher test waiting just 48 hours later.
That tougher test comes in the form of the Denver Pioneers, a program that’s been a model of consistency in the Summit League. Since joining the conference in 2013, DU has claimed the league title every single year - 11 straight - and made 11 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the second round twice. They opened their spring campaign with a 6-1 win over Seattle and will be looking to build on that early success.
The rivalry between Colorado and Denver has a rich history. The Buffs lead the all-time series 32-13, including a dominant 15-match win streak that stretched from 1985 to 2003.
But in recent years, it’s been more of a back-and-forth affair. Colorado, however, has taken the last two meetings since 2022, and they’ll look to keep that streak alive on Sunday.
“DU is always a very good program,” Pham said. “It’s always a close match.
It'll be a good test for us, but we’ve got to clean things up and take care of business on Friday first. Both matches are great opportunities for us to keep growing as a team.”
With a 2-0 start under their belts and a pair of matches that offer both challenge and opportunity, this weekend is an early measuring stick for a Buffs team that seems to be finding its rhythm. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT on Friday at the Meadows Club in Boulder, followed by Sunday’s 4 p.m. clash at the Denver Tennis Park.
Fans can follow along with live updates and behind-the-scenes coverage on Instagram and X at @cubuffstennis.