PUEBLO, Colo. — The Colorado Mesa women's tennis team had a tough opening day at the Pueblo Duals on Friday (Sept. 13), dropping both of its matches by 7-0 scores at Pueblo City Park.
The Mavericks lost to the University of Nebraska-Kearney in a morning dual, then were swept by Lubbock Christian in the afternoon.
CMU will look to bounce back with two more duals on Saturday, facing Newman at 9 a.m. and Fort Hays State at 1 p.m. Newman lost to MSU Denver 5-2 on Friday in the Jets' first action of the season.
Nebraska-Kearney 7, CMU 0
The Mavericks were blanked in their first dual of the fall season to last season's MIAA team champion. The Lopers reached the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament and return the core of their lineup.
Two matches went to a third-set tiebreaker, with sophomore Devyn Rodriguez, who reached the semifinals of the "A" bracket in last week's Colorado College Invitational, losing the No. 2 singles match 3-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-5) to Narinda Ranaivo. Junior transfer Jade Brilhante dropped the No. 5 match 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-5) to Masha Hatouka.
Makenna Livingston lost 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1 singles against Fabiana Gamboa and Delia Maier dropped her No. 3 match to Tanya Midzi 6-2, 6-1. Freshman Catalina Ballon Marin dropped a 6-3, 6-3 battle against UNK's Alexis Bernthal at No. 4 and Jane Steur fell 6-3, 6-1 at No. 6 to Clare Plachy.
Rodriguez and Brilhante took Bernthal and Hatouka to a tiebreaker at No. 2 doubles before losing 7-6 (9-7).
Lubbock Christian 7, CMU 0
The Mavericks had their chances against the Chaps, with several sets only one service break from swinging in their favor.
Makenna Livingston's match was one of those at No. 1 singles, losing to Andrew De Bernardo 6-4, 6-4. Devyn Rodriguez was also a break away, losing to Mariia Koroleva 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (11-9) at No. 2 singles. The No. 3 match was also tight, with Lubbock Christian's Oshini Herath claiming a 6-3, 6-4 win over Delia Maier. Catalina Ballon Marin fell 6-1, 6-2 at No. 4 singles, Jade Brilhante came up short in a 6-3, 6-3 loss at No. 5 and Jake Steur dropped a first-set tiebreaker at No. 6 in a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 loss.
In doubles, Livingston and Maier lost 6-4 at No. 1, with the Chaparrals dropping only one game in the other two doubles matches.
