Colorado University Athletics
Freshman Spotlight: Lani Brotman’s First Matches as a Buff
January 29, 2026 | Tennis
BOULDER – Colorado Buffalo tennis freshman, Lani Brotman, has shown much promise since a successful fall season, now helping the team to a 2-0 start in the spring season.
Hailing from Carrollton, Texas, Brotman joined Colorado as a 5-star recruit and a Top 50 player in the United States at the junior level.
"Our goal is always to find the best student athletes we can," head coach Anthony Pham said. "With Lani and our two other freshmen, I think they're doing a great job of finding their way and buying in to what the scene is about, and where we want to take our program."
Opening the fall season, she recorded a 7-4 singles record, and 8-4 in doubles, sharing the court with fellow freshmen Yukiko Ikedo and Heidi Crncan, as well as veterans Pia Rebec and Ema Bubalo.
"I knew a bit of what college tennis would feel like, but once the spring started it was a whole new feel," Brotman said. "It's a different feeling from junior competition, and definitely different with a team," Brotman said. "It's so fun knowing that there are people to support you during your match and being able to support my teammates as well."
Brotman debuted her dual competition in the opening match of the spring season, finding her place at the No. 5 spot in singles competition, and No. 3 spot in doubles with Rebec against Montana State and Air Force.
"It was definitely scary at first," Brotman said. "But I knew that if I did the things I had been training for, it would work out. Obviously, nerves take over, especially at the beginning of matches, but I know the coaches and my team will be there to help me through it, which is comforting, knowing you have that support."
The freshman recorded her first win in the opening dual against Montana State, downing Kavya Khirwar in straight sets, even taking the second set tiebreaker, 6-1, 7-6 (3). In doubles play with Rebec by her side, the pair defeated Kojonroj and Rhoades out of Air Force, 6-4.
"As a freshman you don't always know what to do when you first get there. But once I watch the juniors and seniors doing their thing, it's so helpful and less stressful knowing I don't have to figure it out on my own."
Brotman alongside the rest of the tennis team will continue competition on Jan. 30 against Miami (Ohio) at home. More information and live results can be found @cubuffstennis.
Hailing from Carrollton, Texas, Brotman joined Colorado as a 5-star recruit and a Top 50 player in the United States at the junior level.
"Our goal is always to find the best student athletes we can," head coach Anthony Pham said. "With Lani and our two other freshmen, I think they're doing a great job of finding their way and buying in to what the scene is about, and where we want to take our program."
Opening the fall season, she recorded a 7-4 singles record, and 8-4 in doubles, sharing the court with fellow freshmen Yukiko Ikedo and Heidi Crncan, as well as veterans Pia Rebec and Ema Bubalo.
"I knew a bit of what college tennis would feel like, but once the spring started it was a whole new feel," Brotman said. "It's a different feeling from junior competition, and definitely different with a team," Brotman said. "It's so fun knowing that there are people to support you during your match and being able to support my teammates as well."
Brotman debuted her dual competition in the opening match of the spring season, finding her place at the No. 5 spot in singles competition, and No. 3 spot in doubles with Rebec against Montana State and Air Force.
"It was definitely scary at first," Brotman said. "But I knew that if I did the things I had been training for, it would work out. Obviously, nerves take over, especially at the beginning of matches, but I know the coaches and my team will be there to help me through it, which is comforting, knowing you have that support."
The freshman recorded her first win in the opening dual against Montana State, downing Kavya Khirwar in straight sets, even taking the second set tiebreaker, 6-1, 7-6 (3). In doubles play with Rebec by her side, the pair defeated Kojonroj and Rhoades out of Air Force, 6-4.
"As a freshman you don't always know what to do when you first get there. But once I watch the juniors and seniors doing their thing, it's so helpful and less stressful knowing I don't have to figure it out on my own."
Brotman alongside the rest of the tennis team will continue competition on Jan. 30 against Miami (Ohio) at home. More information and live results can be found @cubuffstennis.
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