Colorado University Athletics
Three Buffs Ranked In ITA Preseason Region Poll
January 05, 2016 | Tennis
SKILLMAN, N.J. - The University of Colorado tennis team has three players ranked in the Mountain Region rankings released on Tuesday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. Nuria Ormeño Ruiz is ranked No. 1 in the region, followed by Tina Bokhua, who is tied for third, and Annabelle Andrinopoulos, who is 15th.
"It is fantastic to have three players ranked," head coach Nicole Kenneally said. "It's great to have two players in the top five as well. With the results they had in the fall, Nuria winning the regional and Tina having a win over a nationally-ranked opponent, it is a reflection of the success they have had. We still have work to do this spring, but we definitely have some opportunities to build off this recognition."
Ormeño Ruiz, a junior from Barcelona, Spain, won the Mountain Region singles championship in October, knocking off three of the top-10 seeds in the tournament. She then became the first player in school history to compete at the ITA National Indoor Championships, dropping a pair of three-set matches to nationally-ranked opponents. Ormeño Ruiz carries a 10-2 singles mark into the spring and is ranked 35th in CU history with 48 career wins.
Bokhua, a sophomore from Moscow, Russia, reached the Round of 16 at the regional tournament in October and posted a 5-5 mark in the fall, facing three nationally-ranked opponents. She knocked off the fifth-ranked player in the country, rallying to beat Josie Kuhlman of Florida 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (5) on Oct. 9. She also reached the finals of the San Diego State Invitational in November. Last season, she posted a 7-7 record at the No. 1 singles position and brings 15 career wins into her sophomore spring season.
Andrinopoulos, a freshman from Melbourne, Australia, went 4-4 during the fall season. She went 3-0 at the CU Invitational in September, earning a win over regionally-ranked Emily Olivier from New Mexico. Five of her eight fall matches went to three sets.
The Buffaloes begin the season on Sunday, Jan. 17, at home against Air Force at 11 a.m. That match will take place at the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center.
