Colorado University Athletics
Friday, January 23
Boulder, CO
6 p.m.
Colorado
vs
Montana State
Colorado Ready for Home Opener
January 21, 2026 | Tennis
Buffs set to face Montana State and Air Force
BOULDER – The Colorado Buffaloes tennis team is ready to open the spring season this week, hosting Montana State on Friday, followed by Air Force Academy on Sunday.
After finishing the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 9-14, and 2-11 in the Big 12, the Buffs are looking to find success early with the addition of three newcomers, and seven returners. The team will be led by seniors Anya Nelson and Rixt Van der Werff, and returning graduate student Aya El Sayed.
"We're pretty excited about our team this year," head coach Anthony Pham said, "in my five years here, this is the most depth we've had competitively. We've already been able to see it through the fall and with the spring having Aya back, we are ready to go and see what we can accomplish."
El Sayed was unable to finish last season due to injury, but still concluded with 50 career singles victories and 36 career doubles, 19 of which with partner Pia Rebec.
Nelson finished out competition last year with four singles wins after stepping up to the No. 5 and 6 positions due to a teammate's injury, and 22 doubles victories, 19 of which with partner Ema Bubalo. The pair also became the first ITA regional champion doubles team in CU history, and remained ranked consistently throughout the season.
Van der Werff came to Colorado last year as a junior, and etched seven wins in the season before suffering an injury. The senior finished at No. 19 in the region for singles, as well as recording four doubles victories.
"For this weekend, Montana State and Air Force will provide some good tests for our team this early in the year," said Pham, "we have had a couple good weeks of practice and the team is gelling, so they are ready to go and compete again."
With a mix of both new and returning, Colorado looks to find a successful blend following a promising fall season of competition. Freshmen Lani Brotman (7-4) and Heidi Crncan (8-5) finished fall with a solid singles record to open spring competition, as well as a 5-3 doubles record from Brotman and freshman Yukiko Ikedo.
The Buffs will search for their sixth win against Montana State (2-0), led by former Colorado assistant Hailey Barrett, with the last meeting being in 2019. Colorado currently sits undefeated against the Bobcats, who are coming off of two wins to begin the season.
In a lengthy 35-year series, the Buffs hold a 20-3 record over Air Force Academy (0-2), going 22 years and 13 meetings without a loss. The last match was held in early 2025, where Colorado downed the Falcons on their home courts, 4-3.
Competition will begin against Montana State on Friday at 6 p.m. (MT), and on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Air Force Academy. Matches will be held at the Meadows Club in Boulder, and will be available to follow on Instagram and X at @cubuffstennis.
After finishing the 2024-25 season with an overall record of 9-14, and 2-11 in the Big 12, the Buffs are looking to find success early with the addition of three newcomers, and seven returners. The team will be led by seniors Anya Nelson and Rixt Van der Werff, and returning graduate student Aya El Sayed.
"We're pretty excited about our team this year," head coach Anthony Pham said, "in my five years here, this is the most depth we've had competitively. We've already been able to see it through the fall and with the spring having Aya back, we are ready to go and see what we can accomplish."
El Sayed was unable to finish last season due to injury, but still concluded with 50 career singles victories and 36 career doubles, 19 of which with partner Pia Rebec.
Nelson finished out competition last year with four singles wins after stepping up to the No. 5 and 6 positions due to a teammate's injury, and 22 doubles victories, 19 of which with partner Ema Bubalo. The pair also became the first ITA regional champion doubles team in CU history, and remained ranked consistently throughout the season.
Van der Werff came to Colorado last year as a junior, and etched seven wins in the season before suffering an injury. The senior finished at No. 19 in the region for singles, as well as recording four doubles victories.
"For this weekend, Montana State and Air Force will provide some good tests for our team this early in the year," said Pham, "we have had a couple good weeks of practice and the team is gelling, so they are ready to go and compete again."
With a mix of both new and returning, Colorado looks to find a successful blend following a promising fall season of competition. Freshmen Lani Brotman (7-4) and Heidi Crncan (8-5) finished fall with a solid singles record to open spring competition, as well as a 5-3 doubles record from Brotman and freshman Yukiko Ikedo.
The Buffs will search for their sixth win against Montana State (2-0), led by former Colorado assistant Hailey Barrett, with the last meeting being in 2019. Colorado currently sits undefeated against the Bobcats, who are coming off of two wins to begin the season.
In a lengthy 35-year series, the Buffs hold a 20-3 record over Air Force Academy (0-2), going 22 years and 13 meetings without a loss. The last match was held in early 2025, where Colorado downed the Falcons on their home courts, 4-3.
Competition will begin against Montana State on Friday at 6 p.m. (MT), and on Sunday at 2 p.m. against Air Force Academy. Matches will be held at the Meadows Club in Boulder, and will be available to follow on Instagram and X at @cubuffstennis.
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