Wednesday, October 14
Provo, Utah
Colorado
vs
Day 2
Buffs Sweep Doubles Play As Regionals Continue
October 14, 2026 | Tennis
PROVO, Utah – The Colorado Buffaloes tennis team produced notable wins Wednesday by sweeping doubles matches and collecting three singles victories as six Buffs made their 2026 ITA Mountain Regional Championships debut on the second day of the tournament.
To open the day, returning Buffs Heidi Crncan and Willow Gretsch secured a clean victory against Air Force opponents, producing an 8-1 pro-set win to dominate doubles play early.
"It was nice to see how they kept their composure and their focus, and didn't let up one bit," CU Assistant Coach Erick Garcia said. "This will be good for their confidence level moving into the second round."
With the Buffs establishing quick energy, momentum carried throughout the day. In the same fashion, Pia Rebec and Louise Ternstroem met another Air Force team, bringing home a 8-3 result and leaving the Buffs 2-0 in doubles play on the first day of main draw competition.Â
With an early advantage on the day, Ternstroem met Idaho State for singles, claiming a win in straight sets. Both Ema Bubalo and Crncan prevailed in three sets to contribute to the day's win total.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
Out of the gate, Crncan and Gretsch met Air Force's Tana Christopulos and Tia Christopulos, the twin sisters one of whom Gretsch defeated at the Bedford Cup earlier this month.Â
From the start, Colorado showed out, taking control of the net at nearly every point, before producing a notable 8-1 win to advance to the Round of 32 and set the tone for the day.
Following the Buffs early success, Rebec and Ternstroem took on another Air Force pairing. Returning from an offseason injury, Rebec made her season fall debut alongside the first-year, marking the pair's first opportunity to test their power on the doubles court.
Showcasing a variety of strategies and strengths, the duo battled before defeating Stephanie Marcheret and Maya Michalski 8-3, to sweep doubles play for the day and advance the Buffs duo into the Round of 32.
With big wins to start the day, Colorado entered singles play with determination to continue executing.Ternstroem, the Sweden native, took on Idaho State's Veronika Zarovna, winning in straight sets 6-3 and 6-2, maintaining Colorado' s strong start and securing a spot in the Thursday's Round of 32.
Battling through a competitive matchup, Bubalo met BYU's Cara Korhonen. The host took the first set 3-6 before the fourth year Buff fought back, securing the next two sets 6-4 to win in three. In the same manner, Crncan defeated Northern Arizona's Madelynn Laudwig in three sets, narrowly following in the second before winning 7-5 in a third to clinch the win as both also advance in the main draw.
Unable to close the gaps, Alexin and Yukiko each fell in singles play to BYU and Utah opponents, though each secured notable games and points in important moments.
UP NEXT
The Buffs will have three doubles teams in the Round of 32 as Alexin and Bubalo will begin play after receiving a first-round bye as the No. 2 seeded doubles team. Â
Singles play will also resume for the Buffs as the Mountain Regional Championship's reach their third day of play. The main draw Round of 32 will begin the day while consolation play will also take place for Alexin and Ikedo.Â
Live updates will be available at cubuffs.com and @cubuffstennis on Instagram. Â
RESULTS
Doubles Round of 64
Heidi Crncan/Willow Gretsch (CU) def. Tana Christopulos/Tia Christopulos (Air Force) 8-1
Pia Rebec/Louise Ternstroem (CU) def. Stephanie Marcheret/Maya Michalski (Air Force) 8-3
Singles Round of 64
Louise Ternstroem (CU) def. Veronika Zarovna (Idaho St.) 6-3, 6-2
Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Cara Korhonen (BYU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Sage Bergeson (BYU) def. Lera Alexin (CU) 6-3, 6-2
Hams Metwali (Utah) def. Yukiko Ikedo (CU) 6-2, 6-1
Heidi Crncan (CU) def. Madelynn Laudwig (NAU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
To open the day, returning Buffs Heidi Crncan and Willow Gretsch secured a clean victory against Air Force opponents, producing an 8-1 pro-set win to dominate doubles play early.
"It was nice to see how they kept their composure and their focus, and didn't let up one bit," CU Assistant Coach Erick Garcia said. "This will be good for their confidence level moving into the second round."
With the Buffs establishing quick energy, momentum carried throughout the day. In the same fashion, Pia Rebec and Louise Ternstroem met another Air Force team, bringing home a 8-3 result and leaving the Buffs 2-0 in doubles play on the first day of main draw competition.Â
With an early advantage on the day, Ternstroem met Idaho State for singles, claiming a win in straight sets. Both Ema Bubalo and Crncan prevailed in three sets to contribute to the day's win total.Â
HOW IT HAPPENED
Out of the gate, Crncan and Gretsch met Air Force's Tana Christopulos and Tia Christopulos, the twin sisters one of whom Gretsch defeated at the Bedford Cup earlier this month.Â
From the start, Colorado showed out, taking control of the net at nearly every point, before producing a notable 8-1 win to advance to the Round of 32 and set the tone for the day.
Following the Buffs early success, Rebec and Ternstroem took on another Air Force pairing. Returning from an offseason injury, Rebec made her season fall debut alongside the first-year, marking the pair's first opportunity to test their power on the doubles court.
Showcasing a variety of strategies and strengths, the duo battled before defeating Stephanie Marcheret and Maya Michalski 8-3, to sweep doubles play for the day and advance the Buffs duo into the Round of 32.
With big wins to start the day, Colorado entered singles play with determination to continue executing.Ternstroem, the Sweden native, took on Idaho State's Veronika Zarovna, winning in straight sets 6-3 and 6-2, maintaining Colorado' s strong start and securing a spot in the Thursday's Round of 32.
Battling through a competitive matchup, Bubalo met BYU's Cara Korhonen. The host took the first set 3-6 before the fourth year Buff fought back, securing the next two sets 6-4 to win in three. In the same manner, Crncan defeated Northern Arizona's Madelynn Laudwig in three sets, narrowly following in the second before winning 7-5 in a third to clinch the win as both also advance in the main draw.
Unable to close the gaps, Alexin and Yukiko each fell in singles play to BYU and Utah opponents, though each secured notable games and points in important moments.
UP NEXT
The Buffs will have three doubles teams in the Round of 32 as Alexin and Bubalo will begin play after receiving a first-round bye as the No. 2 seeded doubles team. Â
Singles play will also resume for the Buffs as the Mountain Regional Championship's reach their third day of play. The main draw Round of 32 will begin the day while consolation play will also take place for Alexin and Ikedo.Â
Live updates will be available at cubuffs.com and @cubuffstennis on Instagram. Â
RESULTS
Doubles Round of 64
Heidi Crncan/Willow Gretsch (CU) def. Tana Christopulos/Tia Christopulos (Air Force) 8-1
Pia Rebec/Louise Ternstroem (CU) def. Stephanie Marcheret/Maya Michalski (Air Force) 8-3
Singles Round of 64
Louise Ternstroem (CU) def. Veronika Zarovna (Idaho St.) 6-3, 6-2
Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Cara Korhonen (BYU) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4
Sage Bergeson (BYU) def. Lera Alexin (CU) 6-3, 6-2
Hams Metwali (Utah) def. Yukiko Ikedo (CU) 6-2, 6-1
Heidi Crncan (CU) def. Madelynn Laudwig (NAU) 6-3, 4-6, 7-5
Players Mentioned
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
/ Tennis
Friday, January 16
Sunday, April 13
Monday, April 15
Saturday, April 13
