What's new
  • Prime Time. Prime Time. Its a new era for Colorado football. Consider signing up for a club membership! For $20/year, you can get access to all the special features at Allbuffs, including club member only forums, dark mode, avatars and best of all no ads ! But seriously, please sign up so that we can pay the bills. No one earns money here, and we can use your $20 to keep this hellhole running. You can sign up for a club membership by navigating to your account in the upper right and clicking on "Account Upgrades". Make it happen!

2025/26 TENNIS pre-season and season news, results and discussion

AztecBuff

Club Member
Club Member
Moderator
With the TENNIS team being one of those Buff sports that has MANY tournaments in both the fall and spring semesters, I wanted to set up a thread that as normal we can use to cover anything that comes up on and off the courts related to the team.

I'm starting this thread now as at some point the team has posted its FALL (not spring yet) schedule (https://cubuffs.com/sports/womens-tennis/schedule) Per that, the 1st tournament is scheduled to be in San Francisco Sept. 11-14.

A copy of the fall (only) schedule right now from cubuffs:




Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/7/22/tennis-colorado-fall-schedule-set

"

Colorado Fall Schedule Set​

By: Teagan Schreiber, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER -
The Colorado Buffaloes tennis team is gearing up to begin its fall competition this September, featuring tournaments with a successful history for the Buffs, as well as new challenges.

Colorado enters the fifth season under head coach Anthony Pham, with three newcomers and six returning players. Seniors Anya Nelson and Rixt van der Werff lead the way, followed by a talented and deep group including Lera Alexin, Ema Bubalo, Willow Gretsch, and Pia Rebec. Newcomers Lani Brotman, Heidi Crncan, and Yukiko Ikedo enter the lineup as true freshmen.

The Buffs begin their season by heading back to the Battle in the Bay Classic, hosted by the University of San Francisco. This is the fifth consecutive year that the team has participated in this tournament, and the seventh year overall. Last year, Colorado finished with one doubles duo reaching the consolation finals with two victories.

Following Battle in the Bay, the Buffs will take a short trip to Colorado Springs for the Bedford Cup. In 2021, six athletes represented Colorado for the first time at the tournament, with one freshman, recently graduated Betina Tokac, standing and making her mark on the way to the semifinals.

The fall will also be loaded with competition through the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, including the All-American and Mountain Region Championships, Conference Masters, and Fall Sectionals, all of which hopefully leads to a spot at the NCAA Individual Championships, which was moved to the fall competition season in 2024.

Two more opportunities will be intertwined through the ITA competition from October to November, reaching from Denver all the way to Bonita Bay, Florida. The in-state Pioneers will host a Hidden Dual event at the end of October. The dual will be heeded by the Bonita Bay Classic the following week, a tournament the Buffs have yet to participate in.

Along with the fall competition, Colorado will hold room for the 2025 ITF Women's World Tennis tour, a professional tour a tier below the Challenger Series of the Women's Tennis Association. The tour holds 500 tournaments across 65 countries, including the ITF 35k and the ITF 15k in California, Oklahoma, and South Carolina, of which the Buffs could participate.
"
 
Congrats to the team and the MANY individuals for their latest academic honors after what looks like a GREAT year with the books!




Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/7/25/tennis-colorado-named-ita-all-academic-team

"

Colorado Named ITA All-Academic Team​

The Buffs Named to the ITA All-Academic Team with Seven Athletes Receiving Individual Honors.

By: Teagan Schreiber, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER - After a record-breaking year in the classroom, the Colorado Buffaloes tennis team and seven individuals picked up Intercollegiate Tennis Association academic honors, the organization announced this week.

For the 13th time since 2001, the Buffs as a team achieved above a 3.2 grade point average needed to be honored as an ITA Academic team. The seven individuals honored is a new school record as all Scholar-Athletes must have above a 3.5 grade point average. The previous best was six athletes over the 3.5 GPA in 2020. The individuals named Scholar-Athletes are Lera Alexin, Ema Bubalo, Anya Nelson, Pia Rebec, Betina Tokac, Mila Stanojevic and Rixt van der Werff.

The tennis team put up not only its best term GPA in history this past spring with a 3.76 GPA, it's also the second-highest GPA in school history for any sport in any term dating back to 1996. The team also had its best fall term GPA in history with a 3.56 GPA, which is now the second-best term in team history, and the cumulative GPA for the team of 3.41, which is also the highest in team history. The squad has a streak of 13 straight semesters over a 3.2 GPA.

This year, 1,462 Division I women's tennis players were named Scholar-Athletes, and 222 women's programs were awarded the All-Academic Team.
"
 
Catching up with some more team news. (As is noted in the 1st post above, the team begins its fall season this Thursday in a tourney in San Francisco.)

After already announcing the fall (prelim) season schedule as noted in the original post, a couple days the team released the schedule for the (main) spring season.

Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/9/3/tennis-buffs-reveal-2026-schedule

"
1757301218150.png

Buffs Reveal 2026 Schedule​

By: Teagan Schreiber, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER – The Colorado Buffaloes tennis team return for their second year back in the Big 12 with a total of 23 matches, including 13 conference matches, announced by head coach Anthony Pham on Wednesday.

The Buffs begin competition in January with their first three matches played on the Front Range, facing Montana State Jan. 23, followed by Air Force the 25th, looking to improve their career record over the Falcons to 21.

The following Friday, Jan. 30, Colorado welcomes Miami University to Boulder. Subsequently making a quick trip on Feb. 1 to close rival Denver, who the Buffs hold a 32-13 record against. Continuing their February slate, the Buffs head to Minneapolis, Minnesota, for their matchup against Alabama on the 13th, and a doubleheader on the 15th, facing Minnesota and St. Thomas (Minn.).

To finish non-conference play, Colorado heads to Las Vegas, matching up against UNLV on the 20th and a doubleheader against Gonzaga and Utah Tech on the 21st. The Buffs have faced Gonzaga only twice, taking a victory both times, and have recorded five wins against UNLV. The match on the 21st will mark their first matchup against the UT Bisons.

Beginning conference play, the Buffs travel to Iowa State on Feb. 27th, who the team lost to during conference play last season, then came back to upset the Cyclones in the first round of the Big 12 Championship. Following Iowa State, the team will see Kansas on March 1st in Lawrence, finishing it's seven-match streak on the road.

Back home for the weekend, Colorado matches up against Kansas State and Oklahoma State Mar. 6 and 8th. The Buffs have yet to match up with the Wildcats since a loss in 2018, although they hold 25 wins in the all-time series. Continuing Big 12 play, Colorado is back on the road to play UCF on Mar. 13, and Houston on the 15th.

Following Houston, the Buffs host BYU Mar. 19 and Utah Mar. 21. In the last stretch on the road, Colorado takes on Texas Tech Mar. 28, Arizona April 3rd, and finish at Arizona State April 5th. The team will look to extend its winning record over the Red Raiders to 17-10.

Wrapping up home competition, the Buffs host Baylor April 9th, seeking to register their first victory over the Bears since 2007. In the last match, Colorado faces TCU for Senior Day April 11th, pursuing the first win over the Horned Frogs in series history.

Following regular season play, Colorado heads to Orlando, Florida, for the Big 12 Championships April 15th-19th.

Next week, the Buffs will begin their fall slate at the Battle in the Bay Classic in San Francisco, California, from September 11-14th.
"
___________________________________________________________________

Not that I ever have much if any confidence in pre-season rankings in ANY sport, but did want to note that, per the below, the Buffs are ranked #65 in the main (ITA) pre-season women's tennis poll. (They ended up out of the Top 75 in the final national rankings at the end of last season, and were #7 in the Mountain Region.)

Hope they end up out-performing the pre-season ranking this coming academic year!

 
Preview in front of the team's (or at least a couple of them) opener in the Bay Area that begins Thursday - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/9/9/tennis-buffs-begin-fall-competition

"

Buffs Begin Fall Competition

Colorado heads to California to open the season at the Battle in The Bay Classic

By: Teagan Schreiber, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER –
The Colorado Buffaloes women's tennis team begin its 2025 fall slate in San Francisco, California, at the Battle in The Bay Classic this weekend.

Sophomore Lera Alexin and Junior Ema Bubalo will travel to compete Sept. 11-14th in four days of competition at the California Tennis Club, the oldest private tennis club in the West.

"The California Tennis Club always does such a tremendous job of putting on a first-class event and we are excited for Ema and Lera to represent the Buffs at it" said head coach Anthony Pham, "The level of competition will be high, and we are looking forward to competing. Our focus is all about getting better and being process oriented, and this weekend will be no different."

Competition begins on Thursday and will continue through Sunday with Round of 32 brackets in both singles and doubles.

Last year, seniors Aya El Sayed and Mila Stanojevic received an invitation to compete, leaving with a combined 3-4 singles record, and 2-2 in doubles making it to the consolation finals.

The Battle in The Bay is a highly touted event for collegiate athletes, as an invite is required to attend as a competitor. Players from all around the United States come to battle it out for the top spot, and secure a Wildcard bid for a chance to participate in a 60-thousand-dollar professional tournament the following week.

Follow along for tournament updates on our social media @cubuffstennis.
"
____________________________________________________________

Tournament homepage - https://www.battleinthebaytennis.com/
 
Article summarizing the results for the 2 Buffs who were in action over the past 4 days in the Bay Area - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/9/14/...ygCbI4FRqZYKgZaGRQ_aem_MovUjs_TuuIdRYaslHqiyg

"
1757890379602.png

Colorado Finishes Weekend Competition​

Ema Bubalo and Lera Alexin head home with two wins to end the weekend.

By: Teagan Schreiber, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BERKELEY –
The Colorado Buffalo women's tennis team wrapped up its first weekend of competition at the Battle in the Bay Classic, finishing Sunday 2-0 in singles.

Starting off the afternoon, Bubalo took on a past opponent of Alexin's, Irene Riva of Sac State. Bubalo made quick work of her match, defeating Riva in a pair of 6-4 sets.

Following Bubalo, Alexin kept the steady pace, downing her opponent Tara Mihaljevic of San Jose State. Alexin took the first set 6-4, then finished it in the second, 6-3.

"It was great opportunity for both Ema and Lera to compete against some of the best in the country" head coach Anthony Pham stated, "They had to play in some very tricky conditions and it was nice to end the weekend on a positive note. We look forward to continuing to a good week of training in preparation for our next tournament."

In total, the duo went an equal 5-5 in both singles and doubles competition, each with a 2-2 singles record.

Up Next
The Buffaloes will continue competition next weekend, Sept. 19-21, at the Bedford Cup hosted by Air Force in Colorado Springs.

Doubles
R16

Bubalo/Alexin (CU) def. Murphy/Alvarez (WSU), 8-7 (8-6)

QF
Peyre/Nijkamp (OSU) def. Bubalo/Alexin (CU), 8-3

Singles
R32

Liam Oved (PU) def. Lera Alexin (CU), 7-5, 6-4
Imogen Haddad (USC) def. Ema Bubalo (CU), 6-3, 6-4

C-R16
Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Lou Baudouin (SS), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
Lera Alexin (CU) def. Irene Riva (SS), 7-5, 6-3

C-QF
Duru Durgu (SJSU) def. Ema Bubalo (CU), 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 1-0 (10-7)
Maxine Murphy (WSU) def. Lera Alexin (CU), 6-4, 6-4

EX Match QF
Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Irene Riva (SS), 6-4, 6-4
Lera Alexin (CU) def. Tara Mihaljevic (SJSU), 6-4, 6-3
"
 
Preview as the team, less the 2 who were in action last week, head down to Colorado Springs this Friday - Sunday, with the 7 set to open THEIR action for the season - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/9/17/tennis-buffs-head-to-colorado-springs

"
1758162033369.png

Buffs Head to Colorado Springs​

Seven Buffs travel to Air Force Academy for competition at the Bedford Cup

By: Teagan Schreiber, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

BOULDER –
The Colorado Buffaloes women's tennis team heads deeper into its fall competition this weekend, sending seven to the Bedford Cup in Colorado Springs.

Returners Pia Rebec, Anya Nelson, Rixt van der Werff, Willow Gretsch, and the three freshman -- Yukiko Ikedo, Heidi Crncan, and Lani Brotman will travel to the Cadet Gymnasium, beginning their first matches Friday morning. The three newcomers will have the chance to record their first matches as Buffs.

"This weekend will be the first opportunity for this group to compete this fall," head coach Anthony Pham stated, "We are excited to see our newcomers compete for the first time as Buffs. The buy in and work ethic has been great since day one so we are excited to see what our group can achieve this year."

Competition begins on Friday at 9:15 a.m. (MT) and will continue throughout the day, repeating the same schedule Saturday and Sunday. This year's field of competition will consist of 10 teams, two of which hold previous conference championships.

The last time the Buffs competed in this tournament was 2021, sending six athletes and recording 10 singles and four doubles victories.

Follow along for tournament updates on our social media @cubuffstennis.
"
 
Sounds like the Buffs had a GOOD opening tourney for the bulk of the team, led by a frosh Buff earning the win in singles (with another Buff runner-up) at the AFA, and a couple frosh Buffs (including the singles winner) got a runner-up finish in doubles.

Article - https://cubuffs.com/news/2025/9/21/tennis-buffs-bring-home-the-bedford-cup

"
1758497117707.png

Buffs Bring Home the Bedford Cup​

Four Buffs secure placement positions in their respective brackets

By: Teagan Schreiber, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

COLORADO SPRINGS –
The Colorado Buffalo women's tennis team took home the Bedford Cup Trophy after an overall dominant performance this weekend in Colorado Springs at the United States Air Force Academy.

To start the morning, Lani Brotman and Yukiko Ikedo completed double's competition, taking a second-place finish. The duo paired up against Ramos Garcia and Mlkva of Utah State, falling short despite capturing two-straight games, 6-3.

Moving into singles, Brotman and Pia Rebec faced each other in the first-place match, bringing it all the way to a third set. Rebec took the first set, 6-3, to gain a quick lead. Brotman quickly returned, taking the match with a pair of 6-2 sets.

On the other side in consolation rounds, the Buffs picked up two wins due to opponent injury. With Ikedo and Anya Nelson's opponent withdrawal, both won their consolation matches, putting them at 3rd place in their respective brackets.

"Tournaments like this are always long days and a lot of matches," said head coach Anthony Pham, "but I thought the team did a great job of handling the ups and downs, weather delays, and other adversities, which sets us up well for the season to come."

Overall, as a team, the Buffs recorded 22 wins – five in doubles and the remaining 17 in singles.

"This was also the first opportunity for the freshman to play matches as well as feel what it's like to be a part of the team," Pham continued, "and I think there are still lessons to come from this weekend, but overall, it was very positive."

Up Next
The Buffs will take a two-week pause in competition to then come back for the ITA Mountain Region Championship October 7-11 in Provo, Utah.

Results

Doubles
Finals

Ramos Garcia/Mlkva (USU) def. Brotman/Ikedo (CU), 6-3

Singles
Finals

Lani Brotman (CU) def. Pia Rebec (CU), 3-6, 6-2, 6-2
C-Finals
Millie Day (ISU) def. Heidi Crncan (CU), 2-6, 7-6 (19-17)
Yukiko Ikedo (CU) def. Magdalena Nunez Pureco (USU), Injury
3rd Place
Anya Nelson (CU) def. Anastasiia Kochelaevskaia (UW), Injury
"

 
Back
Top