November 07, 2026 | Tennis
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Colorado Buffaloes tennis team delivered a strong performance Saturday, securing a doubles victory and two singles wins on the second day of the three-day San Diego State Invitational at the Aztec Tennis Complex.
Lera Alexin and Ema Bubalo continue to make strides for the Buffs, winning their seventh consecutive doubles match and each bringing home additional singles wins later in the day, with Bubalo advancing to the main draw finals Sunday morning.
The pair, who will travel to Athens, Ga., on Nov. 18 to compete in the NCAA Individual Championships, have remained resilient for Colorado, securing a 7-5 doubles win against UCSD opponents Sonya Goldberg and Neha Guru.Â
Both Alexin and Bubalo carried momentum into singles play, securing commanding victories over in-state rival Colorado State's No. 1 and No. 2 singles players. Alexin defeated Zaria McGinty 6-1, 6-1, while Bubalo followed with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Annika Planinsek, with the duo surrendering just six games combined.Â
"It was good to see Lera and Ema play some clean matches in singles," CU Head Coach Anthony Pham said. 'We look forward to taking advantage of another opportunity to compete and get better."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Opening Saturday's competition at 9 a.m. Â with a lineup of three doubles matchups, Alexin and Bubalo opened the gate, facing UC San Diego's Goldberg and Guru. The Buffs battled through a tightly contested set, remaining competitive throughout before pulling ahead to secure a 7-5 victory.
A court over, Rebec and Ternstroem brought the Centennial State rivalry to California, facing Colorado State's Sorcha Caves and Annika Planinsek. The Colorado duo battled to overcome an early deficit, continuing to compete before falling 6-1.
Rounding out doubles competition, Crncan and Gretsch took on San Diego's Charlotte Keitel and Maria Shmakova. The Colorado pair worked to close the gap against the Toreros, collecting three games before coming up short, 6-3.
Moving into singles play, Alexin met Colorado State's Zaria McGinty in another Colorado matchup. Alexin established an early advantage, maintaining control of the court and limiting McGinty's opportunities throughout the opening set. The momentum carried into the second, where Alexin matched her opening performance to secure a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory.
Bubalo continued Colorado's singles success against CSU's Annika Planinsek. Following a competitive 6-4 opening set in the Buffs favor, Bubalo controlled the entirety of the second set, preventing the Ram from securing a single game. The dominant finish sealed a 6-4, 6-0 victory and a spot in Sunday's main draw final for her final matchup before looking to claim a national title in two weeks.
Rounding out Saturday's competition, Crncan met San Diego State's Vesa Gjinaj for a competitive singles matchup. The England native battled point-for-point throughout the opening set, forcing a tiebreak before Gjinaj narrowly pulled ahead to claim set one 7-6 (2). Crncan continued to fight throughout the second set, looking to equalize before ultimately falling 6-1, ending the day for the Buffs.
UP NEXT
The Buffs will take the court at 9 a.m. Sunday for the final day of play at the San Diego State Invitational, with Alexin and Bubalo advancing to the final round of doubles to open the day. Other draws are yet to be announced.
RESULTS
Doubles
Lera Alexin/Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Sonya Goldberg/Neha Guru (UCSD) 7-5
Sorcha Caves/Annika Planinsek (CSU) def. Pia Rebec/Louise Ternstroem (CU) 6-1
Charlotte Keitel/Maria Shmakova (USD) def. Heidi Crncan/Willow Gretsch (CU) 6-3
Singles
Ema Bubalo (CU) def. Annika Planinsek (CSU) 6-4, 6-0
Lera Alexin (CU) def. Zaria McGinty (CSU) 6-1, 6-1
Vesa Gjinaj (SDSU) def. Heidi Crncan (CU) 7-6 (2), 6-1
Players Mentioned
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