Colorado University Athletics
The Dominant Doubles Duo: Ema Bubalo and Anya Nelson
February 05, 2026 | Tennis
BOULDER – Doubles duo Anya Nelson and Ema Bubalo have made their mark for the Colorado Buffaloes tennis team ever since their first match together in 2024.
The pair, Nelson a senior and Bubalo a junior, have recorded a 34-16 record together since their last match up on February 1, and hold a 4-3 record in the 2025-26 season.
Although the two have made waves for the Buffs, their pairing came unexpectedly. In Bubalo's freshman year during the ITA Kickoff, a teammates last-minute illness brought the pair together to compete against Stanford University.
"We actually had never played a match or ever practiced together," Nelson said. "Anthony and Blake just chose to pair us up, and it clicked immediately. We clinched the doubles point against Stanford which had never been done before, and it was only up from there for us two."
Following their match up against Stanford, the pair recorded two more wins to follow and ended the 2024 season with an 11-6 record. In their match against USC that spring, the duo even picked up a win over a 54th-ranked opponent, 6-4.
Coming to CU as a walk-on, Nelson never expected this success to become a reality.
"My main goal was just to show up every day and contribute in any way possible to the team, whether that's playing in the lineup or being the most supportive teammate I could be," said Nelson. "Even now, with all the success we have had, my goals remain the same of showing up for myself and my teammates every day no matter what."
In their second year together, they recorded a 19-7 record, holding a 13-match win streak to begin the 2024-25 season. The first six of which led them to be Colorado's first doubles team to become Mountain Region Champions.
That isn't the only way the pair has left their mark. Over the years, the duo has only grown closer and found more ways to success, especially in their historical 34 wins, which bring them to the fifth-highest doubles wins in CU history.
"It feels amazing to know we have 34 wins together, and it's been such a great journey over the years," Bubalo said. "I always knew how strong of a team we were, so I think the results came naturally. We never focused too much on numbers, just on improving and competing every match."
"Not every day is the same and you definitely don't play well every day, but we always tell ourselves and each other to control what we can control and TCOB [take care of business]," Nelson said. "We know what we have been able to accomplish and what we are capable, so just reminding ourselves of our success and that one bad day isn't going to define our careers because this is supposed to be fun."
Throughout their journey the duo has found support through their teammates, as well as their coaches who happened to create the pair two years ago.
"Even on days when we don't feel our best or after a tough loss, our team and coaches always motivate us and help push us back on our feet so we're ready for the next match" Bubalo said.
"Ema and I wouldn't be able to have accomplished anything over the past couple years without our teammates and coaches, and I know that we are forever grateful for that" Nelson said.
Nelson and Bubalo, along with the rest of the Buffs, will continue their pursuit of success on February 13 in Minneapolis, facing the University Alabama to kick off a three-match weekend. More information and live results can be found @cubuffstennis.
The pair, Nelson a senior and Bubalo a junior, have recorded a 34-16 record together since their last match up on February 1, and hold a 4-3 record in the 2025-26 season.
Although the two have made waves for the Buffs, their pairing came unexpectedly. In Bubalo's freshman year during the ITA Kickoff, a teammates last-minute illness brought the pair together to compete against Stanford University.
"We actually had never played a match or ever practiced together," Nelson said. "Anthony and Blake just chose to pair us up, and it clicked immediately. We clinched the doubles point against Stanford which had never been done before, and it was only up from there for us two."
Following their match up against Stanford, the pair recorded two more wins to follow and ended the 2024 season with an 11-6 record. In their match against USC that spring, the duo even picked up a win over a 54th-ranked opponent, 6-4.
Coming to CU as a walk-on, Nelson never expected this success to become a reality.
"My main goal was just to show up every day and contribute in any way possible to the team, whether that's playing in the lineup or being the most supportive teammate I could be," said Nelson. "Even now, with all the success we have had, my goals remain the same of showing up for myself and my teammates every day no matter what."
In their second year together, they recorded a 19-7 record, holding a 13-match win streak to begin the 2024-25 season. The first six of which led them to be Colorado's first doubles team to become Mountain Region Champions.
That isn't the only way the pair has left their mark. Over the years, the duo has only grown closer and found more ways to success, especially in their historical 34 wins, which bring them to the fifth-highest doubles wins in CU history.
"It feels amazing to know we have 34 wins together, and it's been such a great journey over the years," Bubalo said. "I always knew how strong of a team we were, so I think the results came naturally. We never focused too much on numbers, just on improving and competing every match."
"Not every day is the same and you definitely don't play well every day, but we always tell ourselves and each other to control what we can control and TCOB [take care of business]," Nelson said. "We know what we have been able to accomplish and what we are capable, so just reminding ourselves of our success and that one bad day isn't going to define our careers because this is supposed to be fun."
Throughout their journey the duo has found support through their teammates, as well as their coaches who happened to create the pair two years ago.
"Even on days when we don't feel our best or after a tough loss, our team and coaches always motivate us and help push us back on our feet so we're ready for the next match" Bubalo said.
"Ema and I wouldn't be able to have accomplished anything over the past couple years without our teammates and coaches, and I know that we are forever grateful for that" Nelson said.
Nelson and Bubalo, along with the rest of the Buffs, will continue their pursuit of success on February 13 in Minneapolis, facing the University Alabama to kick off a three-match weekend. More information and live results can be found @cubuffstennis.
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