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Colorado State University Athletics
Friday, April 5
Fort Collins, CO
11:00 AM
Colorado State
3
vs
4
San Jose State
Richterova Guts Out Win in Dual Loss
4/5/2024 5:15:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Grad student plays through calf strain in tight match
FORT COLLINS – When Sarka Richterova took a tumble off the court, grabbed for her right calf and called for a trainer, the collective masses at the Colorado State Tennis Complex were in agreement: There was no way she was coming off the court.
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Not with Friday's dual against San Jose State deadlocked at 2. CSU coach Mai-Ly Tran had to ask the question, and teammate Luana Avelar was as certain about the upcoming answer before the query was presented.
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"I told people around me, she's not coming off. No way," Avelar said.
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They watched as Richterova limped back on the court, her right calf taped thanks to a strain, not surprised at all. What happened after brought them all in unison again, wondering how she pulled out a three-set win – with a deciding tiebreaker no less. It was a victory at the No. 5 spot which gave the team hope, but a Mountain West dual the Rams would eventually drop 4-3.
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Richterova had no answers, at least not from a physical perspective.
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"I don't know. I just didn't want to lose, and I knew we needed the point," Richterova said. "I just kept going."
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After getting the calf wrapped, she dropped the next point to Jovana Babic to make it a 3-2 set in the third in Richterova's favor, and she was headed to the service line. Her mobility was limited, and as the match progressed, the calf was only getting tighter, the pain a bit more evident. The winces one could see on her face were soon joined by groans and a few shrieks, especially when she had to move backward.
Â
She tried to shorten the game the best she could, going for winners and big serves. And it worked for a better portion of the finish. She was broken up 5-4 but broke back and then took control early in the tiebreak prevailing- 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4) in as gutty a performance possible.
Â
"I mean, I just have a few lasts home matches. Maybe it was this one," she said. "I wanted to stay there. I couldn't straighten my leg, but I could bend it. I tried to rely on my serve. I just went for everything, and somehow it worked. I think she was nervous too, and a bit tired."
Â
It was her third consecutive singles win, and the 44th of her Colorado State career. It might also be the most memorable of them all, considering the circumstances. It had been awhile since she played hurt, guessing the last time was when she was 12 and she really wanted to win because her grandfather was at the match.
Â
"It was amazing. The crowd was great," she said. "It is going to be one I remember."
Â
The entire day was tight. Colorado State didn't start out well in doubles, only to have their rallies fall short. The burst seemed to carry over to singles, as the Rams won five of six first sets in singles. But only one – Avelar – also took the second.
Â
On Inclusive Excellence Day, with the OIE bringing out donuts for fans, Avelar put one on the board against Cheuk Ying Shek in a 6-3 6-0 victory at No. 3. It was the first match to finish, and it would be a long time before another one would close. It gave Avelar ample time to move from court to court and feel the stress.
Â
"Absolutely. I was talking to Victoria (Erechtchenko) about it, and I told her I would rather be the one playing than watching, because I get so much more nervous," Avelar said. "I'm cheering for them, telling them to go, go, go. I just want them to succeed."
Â
While her match may have appeared rather stress free, it felt anything but for the sophomore.
Â
For some players, it's hard to get a roll started. For her, the opposite is true.
Â
"It was kind of fast, but it felt really good. It boosted my confidence. I think I've always been good at reading the other person's game, just analyzing the game and playing it well," she said. "The issue though was I was playing a lot of third sets, because I'll play the game plan pretty consistently, then drop. Then I'll play it again, then drop. Today I was just happy I was able to maintain a good level and play the game plan all the time.
Â
"There was some stress the last set. Knowing me, I was trying to focus on not letting it go. I was, 'Lu, you know your story, don't let it go.' I know a lot of people have a hard time getting their energy up. For me, it's keeping it."
Â
Radka Buzkova produced a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 win at No. 2 against Irena Muradyan, giving her 60 as a Ram, producing a brief lead, with San Jose State winning at the Nos. 1 and 4 spots to lurch back in front.
Â
Avelar was like everybody else in the crowd, unable to look away from Court 5. It was a blend of amazement and admiration watching Richterova push past what she didn't have and find a replacement.
Â
"That was just proof of her love of the game. She won with the heart," Avelar said. "She didn't have a calf, but she had a big heart. I was so happy for her. I couldn't take my eyes off her court. I wanted her to win so badly, and I was so happy for her."
Â
The Spartans won the clincher at No. 6, with Duru Durgun getting a late break to top Viktoryia Zhadzinskaya 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
Â
The Rams slip to 7-9 overall, 3-3 in the Mountain West. It's been a season filled with tight matches, many which the team hasn't been able to find a way to clear the hurdle. What Tran believes her squad has in droves, she wants them to find individually. It's the one way for them to reach their true potential.
Â
"We're extremely capable. I have full confidence in them," she said. "When we go out there, we have the ability, but we fall short in a couple of spots. It comes down to belief together and it all coming together in a day. I knew it was going to be close, and the scores showed. Everybody fought, but we fell short.
Â
"We're really, really close to breaking through. It comes down to trusting we're right there. I think as coaches, you see what they're capable of and you have full confidence. The sport brings out emotions, and it's them learning how to embrace those moments and be brave in those moments."
Â
Even after her win, Richterova wouldn't leave the court. She had to watch the final match play out, cheering with her teammates. She couldn't put her heel on the ground, standing patiently as trainer Melissa Haisch wrapped ice to the injured area. Eventually, she would make her way to the training table to get more treatment.
Â
When it comes to her team, she's there to the end. Win or lose.
Â
Â
Not with Friday's dual against San Jose State deadlocked at 2. CSU coach Mai-Ly Tran had to ask the question, and teammate Luana Avelar was as certain about the upcoming answer before the query was presented.
Â
"I told people around me, she's not coming off. No way," Avelar said.
Â
They watched as Richterova limped back on the court, her right calf taped thanks to a strain, not surprised at all. What happened after brought them all in unison again, wondering how she pulled out a three-set win – with a deciding tiebreaker no less. It was a victory at the No. 5 spot which gave the team hope, but a Mountain West dual the Rams would eventually drop 4-3.
Â
Richterova had no answers, at least not from a physical perspective.
Â
"I don't know. I just didn't want to lose, and I knew we needed the point," Richterova said. "I just kept going."
Â
After getting the calf wrapped, she dropped the next point to Jovana Babic to make it a 3-2 set in the third in Richterova's favor, and she was headed to the service line. Her mobility was limited, and as the match progressed, the calf was only getting tighter, the pain a bit more evident. The winces one could see on her face were soon joined by groans and a few shrieks, especially when she had to move backward.
Â
She tried to shorten the game the best she could, going for winners and big serves. And it worked for a better portion of the finish. She was broken up 5-4 but broke back and then took control early in the tiebreak prevailing- 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4) in as gutty a performance possible.
Â
"I mean, I just have a few lasts home matches. Maybe it was this one," she said. "I wanted to stay there. I couldn't straighten my leg, but I could bend it. I tried to rely on my serve. I just went for everything, and somehow it worked. I think she was nervous too, and a bit tired."
Â
It was her third consecutive singles win, and the 44th of her Colorado State career. It might also be the most memorable of them all, considering the circumstances. It had been awhile since she played hurt, guessing the last time was when she was 12 and she really wanted to win because her grandfather was at the match.
Â
"It was amazing. The crowd was great," she said. "It is going to be one I remember."
Â
The entire day was tight. Colorado State didn't start out well in doubles, only to have their rallies fall short. The burst seemed to carry over to singles, as the Rams won five of six first sets in singles. But only one – Avelar – also took the second.
Â
On Inclusive Excellence Day, with the OIE bringing out donuts for fans, Avelar put one on the board against Cheuk Ying Shek in a 6-3 6-0 victory at No. 3. It was the first match to finish, and it would be a long time before another one would close. It gave Avelar ample time to move from court to court and feel the stress.
Â
"Absolutely. I was talking to Victoria (Erechtchenko) about it, and I told her I would rather be the one playing than watching, because I get so much more nervous," Avelar said. "I'm cheering for them, telling them to go, go, go. I just want them to succeed."
Â
While her match may have appeared rather stress free, it felt anything but for the sophomore.
Â
For some players, it's hard to get a roll started. For her, the opposite is true.
Â
"It was kind of fast, but it felt really good. It boosted my confidence. I think I've always been good at reading the other person's game, just analyzing the game and playing it well," she said. "The issue though was I was playing a lot of third sets, because I'll play the game plan pretty consistently, then drop. Then I'll play it again, then drop. Today I was just happy I was able to maintain a good level and play the game plan all the time.
Â
"There was some stress the last set. Knowing me, I was trying to focus on not letting it go. I was, 'Lu, you know your story, don't let it go.' I know a lot of people have a hard time getting their energy up. For me, it's keeping it."
Â
Radka Buzkova produced a 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 win at No. 2 against Irena Muradyan, giving her 60 as a Ram, producing a brief lead, with San Jose State winning at the Nos. 1 and 4 spots to lurch back in front.
Â
Avelar was like everybody else in the crowd, unable to look away from Court 5. It was a blend of amazement and admiration watching Richterova push past what she didn't have and find a replacement.
Â
"That was just proof of her love of the game. She won with the heart," Avelar said. "She didn't have a calf, but she had a big heart. I was so happy for her. I couldn't take my eyes off her court. I wanted her to win so badly, and I was so happy for her."
Â
The Spartans won the clincher at No. 6, with Duru Durgun getting a late break to top Viktoryia Zhadzinskaya 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
Â
The Rams slip to 7-9 overall, 3-3 in the Mountain West. It's been a season filled with tight matches, many which the team hasn't been able to find a way to clear the hurdle. What Tran believes her squad has in droves, she wants them to find individually. It's the one way for them to reach their true potential.
Â
"We're extremely capable. I have full confidence in them," she said. "When we go out there, we have the ability, but we fall short in a couple of spots. It comes down to belief together and it all coming together in a day. I knew it was going to be close, and the scores showed. Everybody fought, but we fell short.
Â
"We're really, really close to breaking through. It comes down to trusting we're right there. I think as coaches, you see what they're capable of and you have full confidence. The sport brings out emotions, and it's them learning how to embrace those moments and be brave in those moments."
Â
Even after her win, Richterova wouldn't leave the court. She had to watch the final match play out, cheering with her teammates. She couldn't put her heel on the ground, standing patiently as trainer Melissa Haisch wrapped ice to the injured area. Eventually, she would make her way to the training table to get more treatment.
Â
When it comes to her team, she's there to the end. Win or lose.
Â
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,3
#1 Singles Match
123
Carolina Millan / 0 [SJSU]
626
364
#2 Singles Match
123
Irena Muradyan / 0 [SJSU]
265
637
#3 Singles Match
12
Cheuk Ying Shek / 0 [SJSU]
30
66
#4 Singles Match
123
Rozalina Youseva / 0 [SJSU]
376
663
#5 Singles Match
123
Jovana Babic / 0 [SJSU]
466
627
#6 Singles Match
123
Duru Durgun / 0 [SJSU]
666
724
Order of Finish:
1,2,4,5,6
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
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