Cowgirl tennis competes at Air Force

The Wyoming Cowgirl tennis team returned to the courts as the first day of the Air Force Invitational began in Colorado Springs.

“We started off slow with the cold conditions,” said head coach Kati Gyulai. “The temperature was 32 degrees and we struggled early, but fortunately we got through three of the four doubles to the quarterfinals.”

“This is our third tournament of the year, and we came down here to perform. The newcomers -- Sasa, Kim and Paloma -- advanced into the quarters, but unfortunately we had early disappointing losses. For us to beat most MWC schools in the spring, we must show up to work hard every day.”

In singles play, the Cowgirls had a good showing. Junior Kim van Ginkel earned a straight-set victory, 6-4, 6-0, over Emmanuelle Cor of Oregon. She will face Missy Harris of Utah on Saturday. Sasa Nemcova went 2-0 in her matches, as she defeated Sydney Bell (UNC), 6-3, 6-2, and Ania Anuszkiewicz (CU), 6-2, 7-5. Paloma Navarro also won her opening round with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Erlyn Rudico of Air Force. Junior Rebecca Berger fell to Michala Jensen of Colorado, 6-3, 6-3, to open the day, but rebounded with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Luiza Xavier of Northern Colorado.

Other Cowgirls in action include senior Sarah Summerfield, who suffered an opening round loss to Holly Cao of Harvard, as did Carly Van Hollen against Agnes Sibilski (Harvard), 6-0, 6-4. Alexandra Kovacs came up short in a tough three set match, 1-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5 against Anya Villanueva (UNM).

In doubles play, three of the four teams were in action today. The team of Berger and Kovacs earned an 8-4 win over Carmen Peters and Maria Occhipinti of Illinois State. Paloma Navarro and Madie Kern (CU) earned an 8-6 victory over Arianne Maack and Hannah Esker (ISU), unfortunately Summerfield and Van Hollen lost in the first round, 8-3, to Cao and Norton of Harvard. Nemcova and van Ginkel will begin doubles play Saturday at 9 a.m. against the team of Andrea Maughan and Erin Monson of Utah.

Both singles and doubles action will continue Saturday and Sunday.