Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Air Force
Recap: CSU battles in loss to Air Force
4/27/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Tennis
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Colorado State's 2016-17 tennis season came to a close on Thursday afternoon, falling to the Air Force Falcons, 5-1, in the opening round of the Mountain West Championship. CSU concludes its season - the first under head coach Jarod Camerota - with a 9-14 mark, the most wins since 2011. Air Force (17-9), playing as the No. 7 seed, will advance to face No. 2-seed Fresno State on Friday.
CSU's point came at the No. 4 position, when freshman Sandra Keta picked up a two-set victory in two tight frames. She gained an early edge with a 7-6 (2) extended-set win before finishing off her opponent with a 6-4 win in Set 2.
On the other courts, the Rams remained competitive, despite the loss.
"We didn't play very good doubles, but we came back hard in singles," Camerota said. "I'm proud of how we played in singles and our resiliency. Early in the season, we wouldn't rebound from a bad doubles match. It's tough to have your season end, but I've really enjoyed this season and these girls are people I really enjoy being around."
The Rams had ample opportunities to win at the No. 2, 3 and 6 positions.
At No. 3, freshman Riley Reeves won her initial frame, 6-1. Air Force tied the match up with a 6-4 win in Set 2, but Reeves rebounded in Set 3. She was leading for much of the deciding frame and was tied at 5-5 when the match was clinched. Fellow freshman Solene Crawley (No. 6) also won her first set, 6-2, before Air Force won the second and third sets by scores of 6-3 and 6-4.
Freshman Alyssa Grijalva battled back from an early hole at the No. 2 position. After losing the first set, 6-2, she won an exciting second frame, 7-5. Air Force's TJ Fumagalli, though, was winning the deciding frame 5-0 when the match concluded.
Senior Celine Voss (No. 5) lost her match despite both sets being incredibly tight and leading late in the first set (7-5, 7-5). Sophomore Emily Kolbow (No. 1) was also defeated (6-0, 6-3). Air Force won the doubles point with 6-2 losses at No. 1 and No. 3. Reeves and Voss were winning on Court 2, 5-4, when the point was clinched.
Thursday's match was the final collegiate contest for Madison Porter and Voss.
Porter is a transfer from New Mexico, who returned to her native state to play for the Rams. Over the past three seasons, she has compiled 35 singles wins and 37 doubles victories. She is a three time Academic All-MW recipient and has twice been recognized as a MW Scholar-Athlete. She is obtaining her degree in health and exercise science and plans to attend Life Chiropractic College in San Francisco this fall. Voss, a native of Germany who moved to Fort Collins as a foreign-exchange student in high school, has 18 career singles wins and 28 doubles victories to her name. Last year, the business administration major was named Academic All-Mountain West. Following graduation, she is planning on moving back to Germany.
"Madison and Celine are first-class role models for our program," Camerota said of his two seniors. "They do things right, they're on time, they get good grades, they're good citizens. They set a standard of how things are done and are the first ones to ask for extra reps or help. If everyone did as much as they do, on and off the court, we'll be in good shape moving forward."
Despite losing the veteran duo, the Rams return the core of their lineup. Of CSUs seven roster members, four are freshmen and one is a sophomore. The Rams' No. 1-4 singles positions have consistently been held by Kolbow - a sophomore - and three freshmen.
"I think that we're starting to see the type of team we can be," Camerota said. "Hopefully this fuels them during the summer and fall so that we can make a run next time we're here."
Air Force 5, Colorado State 1
Doubles
No. 1: Elizabeth Barnickel / TJ Fumagalli (AFA) def. Alysas Grijalva / Emily Kolbow (CSU) - 6-2
No. 2: Riley Reeves / Celine Voss (CSU) vs. Chloe Forlini / Jocelle Rudico (AFA) - DNF; CSU led 5-4
No. 3: Lily Forlini / Nadeen Lieberman (AFA) def. Sandra Keta / Madison Porter (CSU) - 6-2
Singles
No. 1: Chloe Forlini (AFA) def. Emily Kolbow (CSU) - 6-0, 6-3
No. 2: TJ Fumagalli (AFA) def. Alyssa Grijalva (CSU) - 2-6, 7-5, 0-6
No. 3: Riley Reeves (CSU) vs. Elizabeth Barnickel (AFA) - DNF; 6-1, 4-6, 5-5
No. 4: Sandra Keta (CSU) def. Nadeen Lieberman (AFA) - 7-6 (2), 6-4
No. 5: Lily Forlini (AFA) def. Celine Voss (CSU) - 7-5, 7-5
No. 6: Jocelle Rudico (AFA) def. Solene Crawley (CSU) - 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
Players Mentioned
