BOULDER – In its first match this season competing as a ranked team, the No. 75 University of Colorado tennis team continued to be tested, falling 6-1 to No. 70 Washington State on Friday afternoon at the CU South Campus Tennis Complex.

“All credit to Washington State,” CU head coach Nicole Kenneally said. “They came out and they played a tough, competitive match. They did a great job of hustling. I think we as a team put a solid effort out there. Several of the players have had an adverse week. This match is an opportunity for us to learn to not let it happen again. Obviously this time of year, a lot of college students are coming down with sicknesses. It’s important for us to take precautions to minimize that. I think we had a solid fight and effort, but we just weren’t as sharp as we have been. Ultimately, we have the opportunity to come back on Sunday. There’s nothing like coming out and competing as quickly as possible after a loss.”

Juliet Steur had a good match against Washington State

Juliet Steur had a good match against Washington State

The Buffs, ranked for the first time in the regular season since April 2010, fall to 7-12 overall, 2-6 Pac-12 Conference. Washington State improves to 13-9, 2-6 Pac-12. The Cougars boast one of their most impressive teams, with all three seniors, Liudmila Vasilieva, Ksenia Googe and Andjela Kankaras, ranked among the top six all-time in singles victories at WSU.

Though the Buffaloes are wrapping up the regular season, their stiff competition continues with their final home matches. All 10 of CU’s most recent opponents have either been ranked, had at least one ranked player or both (as is the case for six of the teams). Of the teams the Buffs have faced this season, 11 (nine from the Pac-12) are in the current ITA College Tennis Rankings, with five ranked in the top 25.

CU showed perseverance early despite dropping the doubles point.  Julyette Steur and Erin Sanders had a resounding 8-5 win over Googe/Vasilieva in the No. 1 position for their eighth win, and second in the Pac-12, as a pair this season. Janssens/Manzi Tenorio and Quevedo/Watrous both fought, but eventually fell. Janssens/Manzi Tenorio battled for every point in their 6-8 defeat, and Quevedo/Watrous won three straight sets to fight back from down 1-6, but fell 4-8.

When singles play began, four Buffs were down a break at 3-4 in the first set. Julyette Steur and Winde Janssens both showed their strength in face of adversity in the top two positions. Both players battled back from 3-4 to claim 5-4 leads, then fell behind 5-6 but sent their first sets into tiebreakers.

Steur came out victorious with a 7-3 first set tiebreak win. With hopes of becoming WSU’s all-time winningest player, Liudmila Vasilieva came back with a vengeance, claiming the second set 6-4. With the overall match already decided, they were sent into a third set super-tiebreaker. But once again, Steur had the upper hand, winning 10-6. The victory was Steur’s 10th win of spring and second in the Pac-12 this season and put a halt in Vasilieva’s hunt to be the all-time leader. With 104 career wins, Vasilieva is still four wins away from the title.

Janssens fought in a tiebreaker of her own, but could never regain the lead, falling 7-5 and retiring after the first set.

Freshman Mazy Watrous had one of her best Pac-12 performances, winning five games in her 6-4, 6-1 loss to Charlotte Koning.

CU wraps up the regular season with two more home matches. The Buffs take on No. 45 Washington on Sunday, April 7. First serve is at 10 a.m. After an extended break, the Buffs conclude home play against Utah at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Both matches will be held at the CU South Campus Tennis Complex unless weather pushes play inside.

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