Colorado’s women’s tennis team was defeated by Alabama 4-0 in a match held at the Baseline Tennis Center in Minneapolis. The Buffaloes, now with a record of 3-2, faced an undefeated Alabama squad that improved to 7-0.
Head coach Anthony Pham commented on the result, saying, “Tough result for our group today. The margins in these matches are so slim and I thought Alabama handled those match defining moments better than we did today. We’ve have two really great opportunities on Sunday and I know our team will be ready to take advantage of them.”
Alabama took control early by winning the doubles point. Kristina Paskaauakas and Karla Bartel defeated Aya El Sayed and Pia Rebec 6-1 at the top doubles position. Amina Salibayeva and Mary Sidelnyk also secured a 6-1 win over Lani Brotman and Yukiko Ikedo, marking Ikedo’s first spring appearance. The second doubles match was left unfinished with Colorado’s Lera Alexin and Rixt van der Werff leading Klara Milicevic and Maria Andrienko 4-3 when Alabama clinched the point.
In singles play, Paskaauakas, ranked No. 45 nationally, won against El Sayed 6-2, 6-2 at the top spot. Van der Werff made a comeback attempt but ultimately lost to Milicevic 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2 singles. At No. 3 singles, Rebec started strong but fell to Andrienko after losing six consecutive games; Andrienko finished with a straight-set victory.
Other matches were left unfinished as Alabama clinched the overall win before they concluded. Brotman trailed Bartel in their second set tiebreaker at No. 4 singles when play stopped. Alexin forced a tiebreaker to win her first set against Salibayeva but was trailing in the second set when the match ended prematurely. Nelson led after one set against Sidelnyk but was behind in the second set when play halted.
The Buffaloes will continue their weekend schedule on Sunday with matches against Minnesota at 8 a.m., followed by St. Thomas at 2 p.m.
