BOULDER – The Colorado Buffaloes tennis team opened spring competition in impressive fashion with a 7-0 sweep over the Montana State Bobcats Friday night at the Meadows Club.
 
To open the victorious night, the Buffs made quick work of doubles competition to secure wins on No. 1 and 2, taking the 1-0 lead heading into singles.
 
“It’s always good to start with a win,” head coach Anthony Pham said. “Montana State is a good team, they always finish at the top of their conference. I’m happy for our team, and good for our underclassmen to get a feel for the competition.”
 
Lera Alexin and Rixt Van der Werff started it off quick taking a 6-4 victory in the No. 2 spot, setting up Anya Nelson and Ema Bubalo at the top spot to reel it in with a 6-4 win. Although Pia Rebec and Lani Brotman found a lead on No. 3, the match went unfinished, 4-3, due to their teammates wins.
 
All six wins came into Colorado’s possession for singles play, with all six also being in straight sets. Bubalo started the Buffs off at No. 2 recording her first win of the spring, and seventh of the season, followed by Alexin at No. 4 taking the second set after a close 7-5 tiebreaker.
 
Quickly after, Rebec, Brotman, Van der Werff, and Nelson contributed to the final stretch victories, capping off the night.
 
“It was a great crowd tonight; we are grateful for everyone who came out to support. There’s always nerves to begin doubles, but with help from the crowd they weathered the storm and got through those matches.”
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alexin and Van der Werff started it off with a 6-2 win over Bean and Gelashvilia, recording seven straight points to begin the set. The duo now holds eight career wins, with just one loss.   

Nelson and Bubalo downed Wise and Stverakova to earn the second doubles win, 6-4. Despite being down until they tied at 4-4, the duo took the last two games securing the win.   

Beginning singles, Bubalo recorded a matching 6-2 pair to defeat Anna Wise, bringing the team score to 2-0.

Alexin came next in her defeat over Terezie Stverakova on No. 4, winning the first set 6-2, and bringing the second to a 5-5 tie. From there, Alexin kept it close, going back and forth in points until reaching a 7-5 final, giving the Buffs a 3-0 lead.

Rebec made it 4-0 for Colorado on No. 3, with a win over Angel Bean, 6-2, 6-4.

Freshman Lani Brotman recorded her first spring win as a Buff to make it 5-0, taking the match after a close second set over Kavya Khirwar, 6-1, 7-6, with a three-point tiebreaker.

“I was nervous at first, but once I started moving and getting into it, I felt good,” Brotman said, “the team is great, I felt so much support and felt a lot of energy from the people. Usually when I play, I am pretty locked in, but I felt the love from the crowd.”

Following the freshman, Van der Werff notched another straight set for a 6-0 lead, downing Nia Gelashvili, 6-4, 6-3.

Finishing the night and finalizing the 7-0 victory for the Buffs, Nelson defeated Lola Bean, 6-1, 6-2.  In an exhibition match, Heidi Crncan also defeated an MSU player, 6-0, 6-1, but that didn’t count toward the team score.

 

UP NEXT

Colorado continues its home slate on Sunday, facing Air Force academy at 2 p.m. (MT). The match can be followed live on Instagram or X, @cubuffstennis.

 

RESULTS

Doubles


Nelson/Bubalo (CU) def. Wise/Stverakova (MSU), 6-2
Alexin/Van Der Werff (CU) def. Bean/Gelashvili (MSU), 6-2
Rebec/Brotman (CU) vs Bfean/Khirwar (MSU), 4-3 unf.

Order of finish: 2, 1
 
Singles


Rixt Van der Werff (CU) def. Nia Gelashvili (MSU), 6-4, 6-3
Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Anna Wise (MSU), 6-2, 6-2
Pia Rebec (CU) def. Angel Bean (MSU), 6-2, 6-4
Lera Alexin (CU) def. Terezie Stverakova (MSU), 6-2, 7-5
Lani Brotman (CU) def. Kavya Khirwar (MSU), 6-1, 7-6 (3)
Anya Nelson (CU) def. Lola Bean (MSU), 6-1, 6-2

Order of finish: 2, 4, 3, 5, 1, 6
 
NOTES


Colorado moves to a 6-0 record against Montana State, outscoring the Bobcats 47-0.
This marks the fourth year in a row the Buffs have opened home competition with a victory.
Doubles pair Anya Nelson and Ema Bubalo recorded their 33rd career doubles win together, which now ties them at 6th most wins by a doubles pair in CU history.
Lani Brotman recorded her first dual win of her career, bringing her record to eight victories.
Pia Rebec now holds 33 career singles victories as a junior, and only her second win at the No. 3 position.
Ema Bubalo and Anya Nelson both notched their 22nd career singles victory.