Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, April 15
Laramie, WY
2:00 PM
Colorado State
vs
Boise State
Fighting To The Finish Remains Team’s Drive
4/13/2022 12:00:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Rams head to Laramie for two conference matches
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Building is where the focus is targeted.
For Colorado State's women's tennis team, building some momentum the final two weekends of the season would be nice, but it's not imperative. After splitting conference matches last weekend – the loss coming to No. 70 San Diego State – the 4-2 Rams (10-7 overall) have already set the program record for the most regular-season wins in Mountain West play. They can add to that total with four remaining, starting this weekend in Laramie
Colorado State will face Boise State on Friday, followed by a Saturday date with Utah State; both matches begin a 2 p.m. at the Wyoming Tennis Complex. A live stream is available for both matches.
"It is very exciting, because we're know we have a shot at conference, especially. We want to get a good start leading into conference, so hopefully we'll do well the next four," graduate student Somer Dalla-Bona said. "We go into every match knowing we can win it, so that's definitely good. I think it helps to build momentum, but my past experiences in conference is anything can happen. It's whoever competes harder on the day, but it would help going into conference."
The Rams are currently tied for third in the standings with both Air Force and UNLV, holding the tiebreaker over both with head-to-head wins. The top five teams earn a first-round bye for the conference tournament, held April 27-30 in Tucson, Ariz.
Boise State is a step behind at 3-3 (7-4), while Utah State is 1-5 (6-9). All seven of the losses the squad has sustained in Mai-Ly Tran's first season as the head coach have come to teams currently ranked by the ITA. Being on the road hasn't mattered, with the team set to play 15 in a row away from home. The last trip to Laramie produced a sweep of Mountain West matches for the first time, and the win over UNLV was the first three-match winning streak for the Rams in the Mountain West.
Winning is fun, but for Tracy Guo, it's been more about the way the team has achieved goals.
"I think we've been doing very good so far. I think we're doing the right thing and on the right track, we just need to keep doing it," she said. "We bring up everyone together and work as a team. I think that's the key – working as a team and everyone putting effort into the same goal.
"It's much easier for the team make our dream come true if everybody works together as a team. This team is so special to me. I think it's the best year for me in college actually and I really enjoy spending time with the girls. They're all awesome."
Radka Buzkova has 21 singles wins on the season (21-5), tying her for third most in a year. She has teamed with Matea Mihaljevic in doubles to win 23 times, the most wins by a doubles player in program history. But the team has proven to be deep, with Dalla-Bona cranking out a 17-11 mark, Sarka Richterova 16-12 and Lucia Natal is 15-3. Dalla-Bona and Richterova are 15-11 on the year in doubles.
Through it all, the team has developed a character trait every coach loves and one teammates really appreciate. That trait is what Dalla-Bona feels has served the team best and will continue to do so.
"Everyone fights, no matter what. Even if somebody is down 4-1 in the second and dropped the first, they always fight to come back and can usually turn it around," she said. "It's a belief and trust in your teammates they're going to do the best they can. If someone is doing well or has a good energy, it uplifts you to do well. I think we've always had fight, but I think it's definitely gotten stronger the past few matches. Even the last match, even though we lost, everyone gave it their all and were fighting to the end."
The desire to push to the end of a match, even a practice, is what has led to a series of firsts for the program this season. With each achievement reached, the bar is reset, and the challenges become greater.
Something new to fight for, which will remain the plan for at least the next three weeks, longer if they achieve their ultimate goal of a championship.
For Colorado State's women's tennis team, building some momentum the final two weekends of the season would be nice, but it's not imperative. After splitting conference matches last weekend – the loss coming to No. 70 San Diego State – the 4-2 Rams (10-7 overall) have already set the program record for the most regular-season wins in Mountain West play. They can add to that total with four remaining, starting this weekend in Laramie
Colorado State will face Boise State on Friday, followed by a Saturday date with Utah State; both matches begin a 2 p.m. at the Wyoming Tennis Complex. A live stream is available for both matches.
"It is very exciting, because we're know we have a shot at conference, especially. We want to get a good start leading into conference, so hopefully we'll do well the next four," graduate student Somer Dalla-Bona said. "We go into every match knowing we can win it, so that's definitely good. I think it helps to build momentum, but my past experiences in conference is anything can happen. It's whoever competes harder on the day, but it would help going into conference."
The Rams are currently tied for third in the standings with both Air Force and UNLV, holding the tiebreaker over both with head-to-head wins. The top five teams earn a first-round bye for the conference tournament, held April 27-30 in Tucson, Ariz.
Boise State is a step behind at 3-3 (7-4), while Utah State is 1-5 (6-9). All seven of the losses the squad has sustained in Mai-Ly Tran's first season as the head coach have come to teams currently ranked by the ITA. Being on the road hasn't mattered, with the team set to play 15 in a row away from home. The last trip to Laramie produced a sweep of Mountain West matches for the first time, and the win over UNLV was the first three-match winning streak for the Rams in the Mountain West.
Winning is fun, but for Tracy Guo, it's been more about the way the team has achieved goals.
"I think we've been doing very good so far. I think we're doing the right thing and on the right track, we just need to keep doing it," she said. "We bring up everyone together and work as a team. I think that's the key – working as a team and everyone putting effort into the same goal.
"It's much easier for the team make our dream come true if everybody works together as a team. This team is so special to me. I think it's the best year for me in college actually and I really enjoy spending time with the girls. They're all awesome."
Radka Buzkova has 21 singles wins on the season (21-5), tying her for third most in a year. She has teamed with Matea Mihaljevic in doubles to win 23 times, the most wins by a doubles player in program history. But the team has proven to be deep, with Dalla-Bona cranking out a 17-11 mark, Sarka Richterova 16-12 and Lucia Natal is 15-3. Dalla-Bona and Richterova are 15-11 on the year in doubles.
Through it all, the team has developed a character trait every coach loves and one teammates really appreciate. That trait is what Dalla-Bona feels has served the team best and will continue to do so.
"Everyone fights, no matter what. Even if somebody is down 4-1 in the second and dropped the first, they always fight to come back and can usually turn it around," she said. "It's a belief and trust in your teammates they're going to do the best they can. If someone is doing well or has a good energy, it uplifts you to do well. I think we've always had fight, but I think it's definitely gotten stronger the past few matches. Even the last match, even though we lost, everyone gave it their all and were fighting to the end."
The desire to push to the end of a match, even a practice, is what has led to a series of firsts for the program this season. With each achievement reached, the bar is reset, and the challenges become greater.
Something new to fight for, which will remain the plan for at least the next three weeks, longer if they achieve their ultimate goal of a championship.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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