FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The Colorado Buffaloes Tennis team competed in the Colorado State Invite on Friday, going 2-3 through doubles and singles play on day one.
Anya Nelson and Ellen Puzak got the Buffs started with doubles against Wyoming’s Jeselle Ante and Noesjka Brink. A slow start doomed the duo early falling behind 3-0. Despite winning the following set the pair fell 6-2.
Due to only having three players freshman Willow Gretch was forced to join Iowa State’s Isabella Dunlap for doubles. Another slow start ultimately proved to be too much to overcome. Even in the loss Gretch was able to score the only set win with four aces to earn the point.
After a short break Nelson and Puzak would resume play in the consolation doubles bracket against Emily Hafner and Lily Stienemeier from Metro State. Unlike the first two matches the Colorado pairing took control of the match early and found themselves up 4-3. The match would not be easily won, The Roadrunners win three of the next five sets to force a seven-point tie breaker for the match. The Buffs would settle into finish the match with a 7-6 (4) win, giving both Nelson and Puzak their first of the season.
After a 30-minute break for lunch the Buffs turned from doubles to singles play in the afternoon. Nelson took the court first against Wyoming’s Adel Ismagulova. After a dropping the first set 6-3, Nelson started the second set putting pressure on Ismagulova. With the set tied up at three it was up for grabs. Unfortunately, the match got away from her, only winning one more set, falling 6-4 to close the match.
Shortly after Puzak returned to the courts to face off against Weber State’s Megan Davies in the first round. In a tough back and forth match the ball bounced the other way ending in a 7-5, 6-3 loss for Puzak.
In the last match of the day Gretch battled in her first singles match as a Buff and she did not disappoint. From the first serve she controlled the match winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-2 over Monica Guarin to advance to the quarterfinals tomorrow morning.
Up Next
The Buffs will return to Fort Collins to continue competing in the Colorado State Invite which goes through Sunday October 1. Meanwhile in North Carolina Aya El Sayed will play in Pre-Qualifying matches at the ITA All-American Championships starting tomorrow as well.
Results
Doubles
R16
Jeselle…
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