Young Buffs Lead CU To Win

FRESNO, Calif. – It didn't take long for the freshmen class to make a difference for the University of Colorado women's tennis program as three youngsters picked up key singles victories in a 4-2 defeat of Fresno State here Sunday afternoon.

"Today was a great college match," said Head Coach Danielle Steinberg. "Credit to Fresno for coming out strong and forcing us to step up. Having such close matches early on is the best way to reveal and build a team's character. I'm very pleased we stepped up and were up for the challenge."

In just their second dual in a CU uniform, Antonia Balzert, Sophia Derivan and Maria Campos stepped up big to take down Fresno State, including Campos who sealed the victory. Balzert extended Colorado's lead after the team picked up the doubles point by taking down Deniza Marcinkevica 6-3, 6-2 for the first singles victory. The Bulldogs tied up the match at 2-2 then Derivan put the Buffs up with a victory in the No.5 singles match. The freshman took the first set 6-4 before dropping the second 6-3. She recovered with power as she stormed away to a 6-1 third set win to put CU up 3-2.

The final nail in the coffin came from Campos who won a c.lose 7-6 first set against Georgia Lawson in the No.3 singles match. Lawson took control of the match in the second set with a 6-2 set win but Campos rallied back to win the third and seal the team win with a 6-4 third set victory.

The match was close from the start as Fresno State came out with the first doubles victory in the No.1 doubles match. Tallulah Farrow and Derivan fell to Lawson and Marcinkevica 6-2. Things were as close as can be as Monica Malinen and Ky Ecton tied up the doubles point in the No.2 doubles match with a 7-5 victory against Shir Azran and A.C. Hummel. The point was sealed by the freshmen duo of Balzert and Campos in a 7-6 No.3 doubles match victory against Ella Husrefovic and Alessia Dario.

"I wanted the team to play outdoors and in low altitude early on," said Steinberg. "We need to be able to play our best tennis wherever we are in the country, regardless of the conditions. Again, challenging the team early on will just make us tougher down the road."

Colorado returns home to prepare for a pair of in-state matches against CSU Friday at 2 p.m. followed up by Air Force Saturday at 2 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center.

RESULTS

SINGLES
1. Monica Malinen (COLO) vs. Shir Azran (FS) 3-6, 7-5, 2-3 unfinished
2. Antonia Balzert (COLO) def. Deniza Marcinkevica (FS) 6-3, 6-2
3. Maria Campos (COLO) def. Georgia Lawson (FS) 7-6, 2-6, 6-4
4. A.C. Hummel (FS) def. Megan Forster (COLO) 6-4, 6-3
5. Sophia Derivan (COLO) def. Carlotta Nonnis Marzano (FS) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
6. Ella Husrefovic (FS) def. Ky Ecton (COLO) 6-4, 7-5

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

DOUBLES
1. Lawson/Marcinkevica (FS) def. Farrow/Derivan (COLO) 6-2
2. Malinen/Ecton (COLO) def. Azran/Hummel (FS) 7-5
3. Campos/Balzert (COLO) def. Husferovic/Dario (FS) 7-6

Order of finish: 1, 2, 3

Next Event

Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Antonia Balzert

Maria Campos

Sophia Derivan

Ky Ecton

Tallulah Farrow

Megan Forster

Monica Malinen