Colorado
New Mexico
Tennis Upsets No. 63 New Mexico
February 15, 2015 | Tennis
BOULDER - The University of Colorado women's tennis team kicked off a busy Sunday in Boulder, by beating No. 63 New Mexico 5-2 at the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center.
The win improves the Buffaloes 2015 spring record to 6-1 and gives the team its second win this season against a ranked opponent. Having already defeated then-No. 66 Kansas State 4-0.
The loss drops New Mexico's record to 8-2.
“This win validates the hard work we have put in and today we did a great job,” said Colorado head coach Nicole Kenneally. “I was really happy with our energy coming out in doubles. And our singles set the standard by starting off winning our first three matches. Overall I'm happy to get another win against a ranked opponent.”
Colorado continued its domination during doubles play this season having still not dropped a doubles point all season. They would take the doubles point with two quick wins.
Senior Ashley Tiefel and junior Alex Aiello remained unbeaten at the No. 2 spot this season with a 6-1 win over Meredith Hopson and Emily Oliver. The win for Tiefel/Aiello moves their record for the season to 8-1.
The clinching point was won at the No. 1 spot by freshmen Tina Bokhua and senior Julyette Steur with their 6-2 victory against the team of Dominique Dulski and Natasha Smith. The win puts the record for the team of Bokhua/Steur at 5-2 for the season.
Starting the Buffaloes off on a good foot for singles was again the reliable Steur playing at the No.2 spot. She would beat Meredith Hopson 6-3, 7-5 and remain unbeaten this dual season at 7-0. And give the Buffaloes its first point in singles play.
The win, along with her doubles victory, improves her all-time record to 104 (56 singles, 48 doubles). That moves her into 21st all-time for career wins. Steur's 56th win in singles moves her into 25th place on the all-time singles win list.
Colorado would then face some adversity on its way to the win. Starting with Tina Bokhua and her tough win 7-5, 6-2 against New Mexico's only senior Natasha Smith. The win, playing in the No. 1 spot, moves Bokhua's record for the season to 10-3. She is the third Buffalo so far this season to reach double digits wins.
The clinching point would be won by Nuria Ormeño Ruiz, but not without digging herself a hole in the 2nd set. Playing in the Emily Olivier, Ruiz won the first set 7-5. But she would fall behind 1-4 in the 2nd set before fighting back for the clinching win, taking the set 7-5.
“Last year I lost my match against New Mexico,” said Ormeño Ruiz. “So when I was down 1-4, I told myself it's not happening again, that I'm going to win this set and not let it go to a third set. I was nervous getting back into it, but coach calmed me down and I was able to keep it together and slow things down to get the clinching win.”
The win was Ormeño Ruiz's 30th career singles victory.
Finishing off the scoring for the Buffaloes was Alex Aiello. Playing in the No. 4 spot winning against Dominique Dulski in straight sets 6-2, 6-1. The win was Aiello's 30th career singles victory.
Colorado would drop the last two matches, starting at the No. 5 spot with Kyra Wojcik dropping her match against Rachana Bhat 7-6(7-2), 6-4. The next point would be lost at the No. 6 spot by Vitaliya Alkhovik, losing her match against Sharon Coone 7-6(8-6), 6-2.
Sunday's match was the first of three home matches in a row. The next two matches are on Feb. 21st against the University of Nevada and on Feb. 22nd against old Big 12 rival the University of Kansas.
Colorado 5, No. 63 New Mexico 2
CU (6-1), UNM (8-2)
Feb. 15, Millennium Hotel Harvest House
Boulder, Colo.
1d) Bokhua/Julyette Steur (CU) def. Dulski/Smith (UNM) 6-2
2d) Aiello/Ashley Tiefel (CU) def. Hopson/Olivier (UNM) 6-1
3d) Ormeño Ruiz/Wojcik (CU) vs. Coone/Dalina Dahlmans (UNM) 5-3 DNF
Order of Finish: 2, 1*
1s) Tina Bokhua (CU) def. Natasha Smith (UNM) 7-5, 6-2
2s) Julyette Steur (CU) def. Meredith Hopson (UNM) 6-3, 7-5
3s) Nuria Ormeño Ruiz (CU) def. Emily Oliver (UNM) 7-5, 7-5
4s) Alex Aiello (CU) def. Dominique Dulski (UNM) 6-2, 6-1
5s) Rachana Bhat (UNM) def. Kyra Wojcik (CU) 7-6(2), 6-4
6s) Sharon Coone (UNM) def. Vitaliya Alkhovik (CU) 7-6(6), 6-2
Order of Finish: 2, 1, 3*, 4, 5, 6
Players Mentioned
