Saturday, October 3
San Francisco, Calif.
Colorado
vs
Day 3
Buffs Conclude Battle In The Bay After Hard Fight
October 04, 2026 | Tennis
SAN FRANCISCO - Continuing action at the California Tennis Club court for the third day of Battle in The Bay competition, the Colorado Buffaloes Tennis team battled through both doubles and singles Saturday, taking both to tiebreakers before falling in competitive matchups.
To open the third day of the tournament, Colorado's Lera Alexin and Ema Bubalo faced Georgia opponents for an intense set. Alternating games until an eventual tiebreaker, the CU duo fought hard till a narrow 8-7 (3) end ending in the Bulldogs' favor.
"That was a high-level doubles match today," CU Head Coach Anthony Pham said. "It was well played by both teams, and we unfortunately came out on the short end. Our doubles play overall was very solid. Served as great preparation for the upcoming regional tournament."
The Buffs then continued singles play, gaining momentum off a closely fought tiebreaker set. Alexin faced off with USC's Simone Key and forced her second tiebreaker of the day, falling in the second set in a 7-5 tiebreaker.Â
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Beginning the day at 10 a.m. local time, the Buffs encountered a strong Georgia pairing of Patricija Paukstyte and Nadia Lagaev. Paukstyte entered the matchup with an impressive resume, finishing the 2025 season ranked ITA's No. 55 in singles and No. 6 in doubles alongside another Georgia teammate.
Battling through an expectedly competitive match, Colorado secured the first game in straight points before trading the next two. The Buffs reached a break at 3-1 before taking the next game and eventually tying the Bulldogs at 5-5. Continuing to make strides, the following sets each reached 6-6 and 7-7 before the tiebreaker. The Buffs battled through the tiebreak, keeping the set within reach before narrowly falling 7-3.
With energy from a hard-fought doubles battle, Alexin squared off against Kay. After giving away the first set, the Buff showcased a change in pace. Exchanging the first four games and alternating breaks until the tiebreaker, Alexin took the California native to a tight match before coming just short, 7-5 in the tiebreaker.
UP NEXT
Saturday's play concluded the Buffaloes' Battle in the Bay 2026 appearance; the duo will return home to meet the rest of the team to prepare for the upcoming ITA Mountain Region Competition Oct. 13-17.
RESULTS
Doubles
Patricija Paukstyte/ Nadia Lagaev (UGA) def. Lera Alexin/ Ema Bubalo (CU) 8-7 (3)
Singles
Yelyzaveta Chainykova (Charlotte) def. Ema Bubalo 3-2 (ret. inj.)Â
Simone Kay (USC) def. Lera Alexin (CU) 6-0, 7-6 (5)
To open the third day of the tournament, Colorado's Lera Alexin and Ema Bubalo faced Georgia opponents for an intense set. Alternating games until an eventual tiebreaker, the CU duo fought hard till a narrow 8-7 (3) end ending in the Bulldogs' favor.
"That was a high-level doubles match today," CU Head Coach Anthony Pham said. "It was well played by both teams, and we unfortunately came out on the short end. Our doubles play overall was very solid. Served as great preparation for the upcoming regional tournament."
The Buffs then continued singles play, gaining momentum off a closely fought tiebreaker set. Alexin faced off with USC's Simone Key and forced her second tiebreaker of the day, falling in the second set in a 7-5 tiebreaker.Â
HOW IT HAPPENEDÂ
Beginning the day at 10 a.m. local time, the Buffs encountered a strong Georgia pairing of Patricija Paukstyte and Nadia Lagaev. Paukstyte entered the matchup with an impressive resume, finishing the 2025 season ranked ITA's No. 55 in singles and No. 6 in doubles alongside another Georgia teammate.
Battling through an expectedly competitive match, Colorado secured the first game in straight points before trading the next two. The Buffs reached a break at 3-1 before taking the next game and eventually tying the Bulldogs at 5-5. Continuing to make strides, the following sets each reached 6-6 and 7-7 before the tiebreaker. The Buffs battled through the tiebreak, keeping the set within reach before narrowly falling 7-3.
With energy from a hard-fought doubles battle, Alexin squared off against Kay. After giving away the first set, the Buff showcased a change in pace. Exchanging the first four games and alternating breaks until the tiebreaker, Alexin took the California native to a tight match before coming just short, 7-5 in the tiebreaker.
UP NEXT
Saturday's play concluded the Buffaloes' Battle in the Bay 2026 appearance; the duo will return home to meet the rest of the team to prepare for the upcoming ITA Mountain Region Competition Oct. 13-17.
RESULTS
Doubles
Patricija Paukstyte/ Nadia Lagaev (UGA) def. Lera Alexin/ Ema Bubalo (CU) 8-7 (3)
Singles
Yelyzaveta Chainykova (Charlotte) def. Ema Bubalo 3-2 (ret. inj.)Â
Simone Kay (USC) def. Lera Alexin (CU) 6-0, 7-6 (5)
Players Mentioned
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