Colorado State University Athletics
Thursday, April 27
Las Vegas, NV
11 AM MT
Colorado State
3
vs
4
Air Force
Falcons End Rams’ Stay at Conference Tournament
4/27/2023 4:12:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Colorado State’s season finishes in quarterfinal round
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – On the heels of setting a program record for victories in a campaign to end the regular season, Colorado State entered the Mountain West women's tennis championships on a high and facing the same team, Air Force, it had beaten heading into the draw.
In Thursday's quarterfinals of the tournament at the Darling Tennis Center, the Falcons flipped the script with a 4-3 win, ending the Rams' season with a 16-8 mark.
"This team set records this year and achieved so much in a short amount of time. I'm so proud of the way they grew as a team," CSU coach Mai-Ly Tran said. "It hurts to see them lose this one to end our season, but I am proud of how we competed today and all year long."
Colorado State's all-conference No. 1 doubles team of Radka Buzkova and Emily Dush won their match, but the Falcons were able to gain the doubles point winning at the other two spots, the No. 2 tilt going to a tiebreak.
The Rams pushed in front at the start of singles play as Zara Lennon, back in the lineup, beat Isabella Flodin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 at No.2, followed by Sarah Weekley's straight-sets win at No. 4, topping Courtney Swift 6-2, 7-5.
The Falcons tied the match with a win at No. 6 singles, with Buzkova pushing the Rams back in front with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Sydney Fitch, a reversal of the decision from Saturday. For Buzkova, it was her 25th victory of the season – tied for third-best all-time at CSU – matching her output from a year ago.
"Doubles was crucial, but we responded well in our singles spots," Tran said. "Radka, Zara and Sarah looked impressive today to set the team up well."
The Falcons tied the match with a three-set victory at No. 4, leaving the fifth spot on the court for the second straight meeting between the teams, only with different opponents. Abby Cotuna returned for the Falcons, and given a second chance to clinch, topped Sarka Richterova 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to send Air Force to the semifinals where it will face upstart San Jose State, the No. 8 seed with upset top-seeded Wyoming 4-2 in the draw.
"Unfortunately we fell short to Air Force, who was a little bit better today," Tran said. "I am proud of what this group has accomplished, and we are eager to build on this year to come back even stronger next season. I have so much love for this team and am proud of who they are and what they did. I want to thank each one of them for what they gave to this program. It's been a fun ride."
In Thursday's quarterfinals of the tournament at the Darling Tennis Center, the Falcons flipped the script with a 4-3 win, ending the Rams' season with a 16-8 mark.
"This team set records this year and achieved so much in a short amount of time. I'm so proud of the way they grew as a team," CSU coach Mai-Ly Tran said. "It hurts to see them lose this one to end our season, but I am proud of how we competed today and all year long."
Colorado State's all-conference No. 1 doubles team of Radka Buzkova and Emily Dush won their match, but the Falcons were able to gain the doubles point winning at the other two spots, the No. 2 tilt going to a tiebreak.
The Rams pushed in front at the start of singles play as Zara Lennon, back in the lineup, beat Isabella Flodin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2 at No.2, followed by Sarah Weekley's straight-sets win at No. 4, topping Courtney Swift 6-2, 7-5.
The Falcons tied the match with a win at No. 6 singles, with Buzkova pushing the Rams back in front with a 6-4, 6-0 win over Sydney Fitch, a reversal of the decision from Saturday. For Buzkova, it was her 25th victory of the season – tied for third-best all-time at CSU – matching her output from a year ago.
"Doubles was crucial, but we responded well in our singles spots," Tran said. "Radka, Zara and Sarah looked impressive today to set the team up well."
The Falcons tied the match with a three-set victory at No. 4, leaving the fifth spot on the court for the second straight meeting between the teams, only with different opponents. Abby Cotuna returned for the Falcons, and given a second chance to clinch, topped Sarka Richterova 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to send Air Force to the semifinals where it will face upstart San Jose State, the No. 8 seed with upset top-seeded Wyoming 4-2 in the draw.
"Unfortunately we fell short to Air Force, who was a little bit better today," Tran said. "I am proud of what this group has accomplished, and we are eager to build on this year to come back even stronger next season. I have so much love for this team and am proud of who they are and what they did. I want to thank each one of them for what they gave to this program. It's been a fun ride."
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
3,1
#1 Singles Match
12
66
Sydney Fitch / 0 [AF]
40
#2 Singles Match
12
66
Isabella Flodin / 0 [AF]
32
#3 Singles Match
123
364
Alexis Odom / 0 [AF]
626
#4 Singles Match
12
67
Courtney Swift / 0 [AF]
25
#5 Singles Match
123
643
Abby Cotuna / 0 [AF]
466
#6 Singles Match
12
15
Arianna Van Houwelin / 0 [AF]
67
Order of Finish:
2,4,1,6,3,5
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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