LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Wyoming Cowgirl tennis team concluded its 2024 home slate in quick and impressive fashion Thursday night at the Laramie Tennis Complex. Wyoming, which has now won four consecutive matches and which went 9–1 at home this season, defeated Air Force 4–0 in under two hours.
“We came out and executed on every single line,” Head Coach Dean Clower said. “They did exactly what we needed to do. I’m very proud and I think they’re very focused right now and very driven. I don’t think we’re stopping now.”
The Cowgirls (15–8, 6–2 MW) got out in front early behind the strength of another doubles point win. Wyoming got wins at the No. 1 and 3 doubles spots Thursday. The tandem of Violetta Borodina and Sophie Zehender won at No. 1, 6–3, and now have 26 doubles wins this season together, setting a new program record for single-season doubles victories. The duo, which is now 17–3 in dual matches, improved to 6–1 in league play. Jeselle Ante and Lucia Malinak made quick work of their opponents at the third spot, winning 6–0.
In singles, Wyoming continued to steamroll, getting straight-set victories at Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on the night. At No. 1, Zehender came out on top 6–3 and 6–4. Noesjka Brink won her fourth consecutive match, 6–2 and 6–1, at the second spot. Brink now has 25 singles wins this season, moving into sole possession of third place on the all-time single season wins list in program history. Borodina rounded out the winning Thursday after being victorious in convincing fashion, 6–1 and 6–1.
Thursday was Senior Night at 7220 as the Cowgirls honored a quartet of seniors — Brink, Nikol Dobrilova, Malinak and Zehender — prior to the match.
Next up, the Cowgirls will travel to conference-leading New Mexico for a pivotal showdown with the Lobos. That match is Sunday at 11 a.m. MDT.
The stats from Thursday’s match are as follows:
Wyoming vs. Air Force
Wyoming 4, Air Force 0
Doubles competition
- Borodina/Zehender (WYO) def. Van Houlweli/Kojonroj (AF) 6–3
- Brink/Dobrilova (WYO) vs. Flodin/Odom (AF) 5–5, unfinished
- Ante/Malinak (WYO) def. Limbago/Sanchirico (AF) 6–0
Singles competition
- Zehender (WYO) def. Van Houlweli (AF) 6–3, 6–4
- Brink (WYO) def. Kojonroj (AF) 6–2, 6–1
- Borodina (WYO) def. Flodin (AF) 6–1, 6–1
- Ante (WYO) vs. Odom (AF) 7–6 (7–3), 0–1, unfinished
- Malinak (WYO) vs. Sanchirico (AF) no result
- Dobrilova (WYO) vs. Holguin (AF) no result
