Colorado State University Athletics
Saturday, January 24
Fort Collins, CO
12:00 PM
Colorado State
4
vs
1
Seattle
CSU Tennis’ Dual-Match Win Echoes Team Spirit
1/24/2026 3:39:00 PM | Women's Tennis
Rams start spring season 1-0 after 4-1 performance against Redhawks
Starting the dual season 4–1 is one way to show you mean business.
Colorado State women's tennis' quick ascent against Seattle wasn't the result of one standout performance or a single turning point Saturday. Instead, it reflected something less tangible but just as powerful: a team operating in sync. From the doubles point clinched by Leyla Tozin and Hanna Haber (6–3) to Luana Avelar's steady singles win (6–4, 6–4) in her return from a junior-year injury, the Rams' victory was built collectively.
That sense of togetherness is something the team doesn't always get to enjoy.
During the fall's individual season, players compete largely on their own, often in relative quiet. Dual matches, by contrast, turn tennis into a shared experience—one fueled by voices from the sidelines and energy that carries from court to court.
"It's so fun," Tozin said. "Obviously tennis at the junior level is completely individual for the most part, except for doubles. But being able to have that team atmosphere and knowing that your other teammates are rooting for you and want you to win is just huge. Cheering each other on helps immensely, and it also shows the other team that we're here and ready to play."
That confidence showed early. True freshman Tozin faced Seattle senior Larissa Teramura in singles and dominated the opening set without dropping a game. She closed the match 6–1, 6–4, displaying composure which belied her age and experience.
But Coach Mai-Ly Tran wasn't surprised by the way Tozin handled the moment.
"I just loved how she approached it," Tran said. "She's brave and she played freely. She continued to put pressure on her opponent and didn't let up. One of the hardest things to do is close out a match, and she did that really well."
The match presented its own logistical challenges as well. With the Rams playing at Genesis Health Center, singles courts were split into two separate locations. Sorcha Caves, Diana Lizarazo and Avelar competed on one side, while Dylan Voeks, Haber and Tozin played on the other — forcing players to compete without constant visual updates from their teammates.
For Avelar, the separation tested her instincts.
"Personally, I'm a very curious person, and I'm also strategic," she said. "I enjoy seeing the scores on the other courts because it motivates me. But I trust my teammates. I know they're out there fighting, and I hope they know we were fighting as well. Having that confidence and not letting it take over your mind is important."
That trust paid off. CSU secured the doubles point early, with Haber and Tozin closing out both of their matches — a momentum boost which set the tone for singles play.
"That was huge," Tozin said. "This was my first dual match of the spring as a freshman and getting that doubles win really carried over for me. I was able to keep my energy up, especially in the first set."
Energy, in fact, became one of the Rams' defining traits throughout the afternoon. Haber, a senior transfer, anchored that presence vocally, filling pauses between points with encouragement. Calls of "Go Rams" and a familiar "Green and Gold" echoed between the nets, drawing in the small but growing crowd.
Tran credits Haber with helping shape the team's identity.
"Hanna's a huge part of our team vocally, but behind the scenes she's a great leader," Tran said. "She's kind of the glue. She's elevated our team culture, and it's really nice to have her leading the way with that energy during matches."
By the end of the day, CSU's result reflected more than a tally in the win column. It showed a team embracing the dual season for what it offers: connection, trust and shared momentum. Starting 4–1 may signal ambition, but it's the way the Rams are winning together that suggests this group is built to last.
Colorado State women's tennis' quick ascent against Seattle wasn't the result of one standout performance or a single turning point Saturday. Instead, it reflected something less tangible but just as powerful: a team operating in sync. From the doubles point clinched by Leyla Tozin and Hanna Haber (6–3) to Luana Avelar's steady singles win (6–4, 6–4) in her return from a junior-year injury, the Rams' victory was built collectively.
That sense of togetherness is something the team doesn't always get to enjoy.
During the fall's individual season, players compete largely on their own, often in relative quiet. Dual matches, by contrast, turn tennis into a shared experience—one fueled by voices from the sidelines and energy that carries from court to court.
"It's so fun," Tozin said. "Obviously tennis at the junior level is completely individual for the most part, except for doubles. But being able to have that team atmosphere and knowing that your other teammates are rooting for you and want you to win is just huge. Cheering each other on helps immensely, and it also shows the other team that we're here and ready to play."
That confidence showed early. True freshman Tozin faced Seattle senior Larissa Teramura in singles and dominated the opening set without dropping a game. She closed the match 6–1, 6–4, displaying composure which belied her age and experience.
But Coach Mai-Ly Tran wasn't surprised by the way Tozin handled the moment.
"I just loved how she approached it," Tran said. "She's brave and she played freely. She continued to put pressure on her opponent and didn't let up. One of the hardest things to do is close out a match, and she did that really well."
The match presented its own logistical challenges as well. With the Rams playing at Genesis Health Center, singles courts were split into two separate locations. Sorcha Caves, Diana Lizarazo and Avelar competed on one side, while Dylan Voeks, Haber and Tozin played on the other — forcing players to compete without constant visual updates from their teammates.
For Avelar, the separation tested her instincts.
"Personally, I'm a very curious person, and I'm also strategic," she said. "I enjoy seeing the scores on the other courts because it motivates me. But I trust my teammates. I know they're out there fighting, and I hope they know we were fighting as well. Having that confidence and not letting it take over your mind is important."
That trust paid off. CSU secured the doubles point early, with Haber and Tozin closing out both of their matches — a momentum boost which set the tone for singles play.
"That was huge," Tozin said. "This was my first dual match of the spring as a freshman and getting that doubles win really carried over for me. I was able to keep my energy up, especially in the first set."
Energy, in fact, became one of the Rams' defining traits throughout the afternoon. Haber, a senior transfer, anchored that presence vocally, filling pauses between points with encouragement. Calls of "Go Rams" and a familiar "Green and Gold" echoed between the nets, drawing in the small but growing crowd.
Tran credits Haber with helping shape the team's identity.
"Hanna's a huge part of our team vocally, but behind the scenes she's a great leader," Tran said. "She's kind of the glue. She's elevated our team culture, and it's really nice to have her leading the way with that energy during matches."
By the end of the day, CSU's result reflected more than a tally in the win column. It showed a team embracing the dual season for what it offers: connection, trust and shared momentum. Starting 4–1 may signal ambition, but it's the way the Rams are winning together that suggests this group is built to last.
Team Stats
#1 Doubles Match
#2 Doubles Match
#3 Doubles Match
Order of Finish:
1,2,3
#1 Singles Match
12
Lamija Avdic / 0 [SUWT]
44
66
#2 Singles Match
123
Natalia Michta / 0 [SUWT]
26UF
65UF
#3 Singles Match
12
Daria Nazarenko / 0 [SUWT]
22
66
#4 Singles Match
12
Lola Tavcar / 0 [SUWT]
66
44
#5 Singles Match
12
Larissa Teramura / 0 [SUWT]
14
66
#6 Singles Match
123
Amina Avdic / 0 [SUWT]
35UF
63UF
Order of Finish:
3,5,4,1
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
CSU Tennis (W) Sights and Sounds: New Mexico
Sunday, March 31
CSU Tennis (W): UTEP SIghts and Sounds
Sunday, March 03
Colorado State Women's Tennis: Sights and Sounds vs. Wyoming
Monday, April 23
Colorado State Women's Tennis: Sights and Sounds vs. UNC
Friday, April 20