In an intense opening match of the 2025 season, the University of Denver women’s tennis team (0-1, 0-0 Summit) encountered a tough road game against their in-state rival, Colorado. Despite several commendable performances from both seasoned and new players, the Pioneers fell short with a score of 2-5. This encounter marked the debut for several newcomers, including freshman Natálie Cinková and junior transfers Hana Bečirovič Novak and Marley Lambert.

The competition began with doubles play, where Colorado secured victories in the first and third matches with scores of 6-4 each. However, the Pioneers managed to prevent a clean sweep when juniors Claudia Martinez de Velasco and Louise Wikander triumphed in the second doubles match, breaking early and maintaining a strong lead to win 6-2. The duo, ranked No. 110 in the ITA doubles rankings, showcased impressive teamwork and resilience.

Transitioning to singles play, the Pioneers earned two crucial points through comeback victories. Senior Andrea Burguete Beltran demonstrated remarkable tenacity by overcoming a tight first set loss to clinch a decisive victory in the tiebreak. Her performance included a dominant 10-1 scoreline in the final set. Meanwhile, Bečirovič Novak made her DU dual debut with a thrilling three-set win, bouncing back from an initial deficit to secure a vital point for the team.

Other notable performances included Wikander's competitive play at the No. 2 slot, where she held a break lead but ultimately lost the set. Similarly, Lambert, making her DU dual debut at No. 3 singles, fought off multiple set points before narrowly losing the tiebreak. Martinez de Velasco also showed promise in her return to the No. 4 singles position, despite facing challenges from double faults.

Cinková, in her first collegiate dual match, displayed grit and determination despite falling behind early. Her ability to force her opponent to serve out the set highlighted her potential as a future star for the Pioneers.

Looking ahead, the University of Denver women’s tennis team will travel to College Station, Texas, for the 2025 ITA Kickoff Weekend hosted by Texas A&M on January 24-25. Their next challenge will be against TCU on Friday, January 24, at 10 a.m. CT/9 a.m. MT. Fans can anticipate another exciting display of skill and perseverance from this talented group of athletes.