Ventura, Buffs Ready To Take On Denver Sunday

BOULDER, Colo. - The Colorado Buffaloes Women's Tennis team hits the road for its only match of the week on Sunday, traveling to take on Denver at 10:30 a.m. MST at the Denver Tennis Park.

Newcomer Elys Ventura has loved her time in Colorado since transferring from Missouri in August. Ventura played three years at Missouri but still has two years to play for the Buffs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. At Missouri she had her best year as a freshman going 17-8 overall, 4-0 at the No.2 position, the same position she has been competing at early in the spring season.

"It's definitely been an interesting transition," Ventura said. "It's a different team chemistry here. I feel like we're best friends with one another. We always hang out; we look to support each other every time we're on court and off the court so it's been really great so far."

Ventura had a good start this fall going an overall 15-7 between singles and doubles. Even with an adjustment to new teammates and coaches, the results on the court remained high winning five of her first six matches as a Buff. At the ITA Mountain Regionals Ventura and teammate Mila Stanojevic made it to the semifinals before losing a tight match in a third set tiebreaker. In the singles side Ventura made it to the round of 16.

The spring season got off to a hot start for the team and Ventura has been a big reason why. She is off to a 2-0 start to the season at No. 2 singles, winning both matches in straight sets, as well as a victory at the No. 2 doubles with teammate Mila Stanojevic against Weber State to help secure the first doubles point of the season. One of the reasons for the success early in the spring season has been due to an improved approach towards matches.

"I really like how I've been approaching things." Ventura said. "I haven't been really looking at the results. I've just focused on the process and trying to get better every point and every practice. I think just focusing on the process has helped me a lot."

Ventura will look to continue her hot start this Sunday against Denver. Earlier this fall Ventura went 2-1 overall against Denver opponents with a singles win and one doubles victory with Stanojevic as her partner.

"We've played a several Denver girls, and I think every time we play them it is really good competition," Ventura said. "I just hope everyone's as competitive as it was last time, and hopefully everyone can support one another like we did last time."

The Buffs will look to start 3-0 for the first time since 2019-20 this Sunday with the match scheduled to be played at the Denver Tennis Park. They look to get a second straight dual victory over Denver, after last year's 4-0 upset against what was the No. 67 ranked team in the country.
In that match last season, Antonia Balzert, Ellen Puzak, Stanojevic and Betina Tokac all picked up wins in either singles or doubles in the Buffs sweep.
This will be the 51st matchup between the two schools with the Buffs holding 33-17 advantage all-time. But since 2004, the Pioneers hold a 13-6 advantage.

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Players Mentioned

Antonia Balzert

Ellen Puzak

Mila Stanojevic

Betina Tokac

Elys Ventura