Colorado Takes Down Wyoming

BOULDER – Colorado women's tennis took down Wyoming Saturday afternoon in the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center by a score of 6-1, pushing its home record to 4-1.

"This was a good team win, it was good to be back home," said head coach Danielle Steinberg. "I really liked our doubles point. In general, we had really good energy today, so that's always positive to see. It's good to see Sara back on track and feeling a little more comfortable on the court, moving a little better. Definitely good to have her back. Good day for Monica too, I think she gained a lot of confidence from today really going for her shots and moving forward. Overall, a good team win. I'm excited for next weekend for two really good opportunities at home."

The Buffaloes (7-3) were on a 15-point streak at home through three wins before the Cowgirls (5-2) took the No.5 singles match in a close tiebreaker set.

Colorado got things rolling quickly as the team took the doubles point with Sophia Derivan and Ky Ecton taking the No.2 doubles match 6-1 followed by Tallulah Farrow and Antonia Balzert clinching the No.3 doubles match with the same score. The 31st-ranked doubles pair of Monica Malinen and Sara Nayar were tied 4-4 in the No.1 doubles match when it was clinch.

"Sophia and Ky are a great combo," said Steinberg on the duo's success. "There's good chemistry there. Both of them play very differently which kind of works for doubles. Sophia as a freshman is learning more every day how to play doubles and Ky is more comfortable in the double court and it's just a good match for both of them."

Nayar kept the momentum rolling as she continues to work back into form after injury. Moving up to the No.3 single match, Nayar made quick work of Ida Krause by a score of 6-1, 6-1 to put CU up 2-0. Her doubles counterpart Malinen took the win in the No.1 singles match against Maria Oreshkina by a score of 6-3, 6-4 to put the Buffs in the driver's seat.

The clinching match for Colorado came in a comeback from Balzert in the No.2 singles match. Balzert dropped her first set against Oleksandra Balaba by a score of 6-3. The freshman composed herself and battled to a 7-5 second set victory, then closed out the match for the team with an impressive 6-1 third set.

Also for the Buffaloes, Derivan won the No.4 singles match against Ana Fernandez 6-3, 6-2 and Megan Forster took the No.6 singles match against Clara Mansart by a score of 6-3, 6-0.

The lone loss came in a heroic comeback attempt by Maria Campos. After dropping the first set to Ana Rayo by a score of 6-0 in a fast 15-minute set, Campos flipped everything to take the second set 6-2. The pair decided to head to a tiebreaking pro set with a first to 10, win by two situation for each point. Campos was up 8-7 before Rayo rallied off three-straight points to take the No.5 singles win.

Colorado returns to action in a week when it takes on Denver Saturday, Feb. 29, at 1 p.m. The match is currently scheduled to be located at the Rocky Mountain Tennis Center.

RESULTS
Singles
1. Monica Malinen (CU) def. Maria Oreshkina 6-3, 6-4
2. Antonia Balzert (CU) def. Oleksandra Balaba 3-6, 7-5, 6-1
3. Sara Nayar (CU) def. Ida Krause 6-1, 6-1
4. Sophia Derivan (CU) def. Ana Fernandez 6-3, 6-2
5. Ana Rayo (WYO) def. Maria Campos 0-6, 6-2, 10-8
6. Megan Forster (CU) def. Clara Mansart 6-3, 6-0

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

Doubles
1. #31 Nayar/Malinen (CU) vs. Oreshkina/Balaba 4-4 unfinished
2. Ecton/Derivan (CU) def. Krause/Kaftanova 6-1
3. Farrow/Balzert (CU) def. Mansart/Royo 6-1

Order of finish: 2, 3

Next Event

Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Antonia Balzert

Maria Campos

Sophia Derivan

Ky Ecton

Tallulah Farrow

Megan Forster

Monica Malinen

Sara Nayar