Tennis Edged At No. 57 Alabama, 4-3

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ? The University of Colorado tennis team failed to sweep a pair of Southeastern Conference schools in as many days, falling to the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, 4-3, Saturday afternoon at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.

CU (3-1) drops its first match of the dual season, while the Crimson Tide reaches the winners' circle for the first time this season at 1-2. On Friday, the Buffaloes defeated Mississippi State, 4-1.

The Tide narrowed its deficit against the Buffaloes in the head-to-head series. CU still holds a 2-1 advantage after defeating Alabama, 4-3 in January of 2006.

“I'm very proud of the effort the girls gave this weekend against two very good SEC schools,” said head coach Nicole Kenneally. “We left everything out of the court; we came close and had our chances.”

The three bright spots for CU came in singles. The play of their lone nationally ranked player, No. 36 Monica Milewski won for the third time in four matches this spring defeating Mari Muller, 6-2, 6-4. Milewski also picked up her 12^th win of the year.

Picking up the other singles victories was junior Gleisy Torres Torres at the No. 5 singles position. Torres Torres earned her fourth straight win defeating Andrea Brenes in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, while freshman Melisa Esposito also remained unbeaten defeating Alice Tunaru, 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-3).

Despite losing the doubles point, CU earned a victory at one of the three doubles matches. At the No. 1 slot, Torres Torres and Camila Belassi earned their third win in four tries defeating Mari Muller and Andrea Brenes, 8-5.

Colorado returns home to face Oregon, Sunday, Feb. 11 at the Millennium Harvest House beginning at 11 a.m. Parking and admission are free and open to the public.

No. 57 Alabama 4, No. 44 Colorado 3

Alabama (1-2), CU (3-1)

Feb. 3, Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1d) Belassi/Torres Torres (CU) def. Muller/Brenes (Alabama) 8-5

2d) Ayala/Briceno (Alabama) def. Jendrian/Milewski (CU) 8-6

3d) Godwin/Svensson (Alabama) def. Esposito/Victoria Almagno (CU) 9-8

Order of finish: 1, 2, 3

1s) (36) Monica Milewski (CU) def. Mari Muller (Alabama) 6-2, 6-4 2s) Shelley Godwin (Alabama) def. Camila Belassi (CU) 4-6, 6-3, 6-0

3s) Sofia Ayala (Alabama) def. Veera Nurmi (CU) 6-3, 6-2

4s) Nicole Briceno (Alabama) def. Franziska Jendrian (CU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4)

5s) Gleisy Torres Torres (CU) def. Andrea Brenes (Alabama) 6-4, 6-3

6s) Melisa Esposito (CU) vs. Alice Tunaru (Alabama) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-3)

Order of finish: 3, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

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Players Mentioned

Camila Belassi

Melisa Esposito

Franziska Jendrian

Monica Milewski

Veera Nurmi

Gleisy Torres Torres