Buffs Fight Hard But Fall On Day Two Of Bedford Cup

Saturday, September 26

USAFA, Colo.

Colorado

Day 2

September 26, 2026 | Tennis

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By: Jessica Maestas, Athletic Communications Student Assistant

COLORADO SPRINGS - After splitting the day Friday, the Colorado Buffaloes tennis team resumed Bedford Cup competition Saturday morning at the U.S. Air Force Academy, falling in both doubles and singles play to Appalachian State opponents.

After a win on Friday in the Round of 16, Buffs Willow Gretsch and Yukiko Ikedo advanced to the quarterfinals of the doubles blue draw Saturday, where they fell 6-2 to the Mountaineers.

Both players also faced off against App State players in singles action. After advancing to the Charlie Flight quarterfinals before falling on Friday, Ikedo fell in a third-set tiebreaker in the north stage draw on Saturday. She will now face another App State player Sunday at 10 a.m. to close out the event.

Gretsch took part in the Delta South draw on Saturday and also took on a Mountaineer, pushing her second set into extra games before falling, 7-5. She will square off against a New Mexico player Sunday at 10 a.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Gretsch and Ikedo opened play early Saturday in doubles action, competing against Appalachian State's Sreenihi Balaji and Allegra Hodson in the Blue Draw quarterfinals with a semifinal berth on the line. The Buffs picked up a dominant win against Air Force in the Round of 16 Friday.

"They were confident for sure," CU Assistant Coach Erick Garcia said.

The Mountaineers' duo proved to be too much for the Buffs, taking the set, 6-2.

Hoping to bounce back in singles action, Ikedo squared off against App State's Lily Bazemore after splitting her matches on Friday. She came out fast, taking the first set 6-1 and playing the net aggressively. Blazemore fought back to take a tough second set, 6-4, forcing a third-set tiebreaker, which she won, 10-6.

"We tried to find ways to regain confidence but were unable," Garcia said. "But both players fought hard until the last point."

Gretsch also squared off against a Mountaineer, taking on Kate Bumgardner in the Delta South draw, falling in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Live updates will be available on cubuffs.com and @cubuffstennis on Instagram.

UP NEXT

The Bedford Cup will conclude for the Buffaloes with 10 a.m. singles matches on Sunday.

RESULTS

Doubles
Sreenihi Balaji/Allegra Hodson (App. St.) def. Willow Gretsch/Yukiko Ikedo (CU) 6-2

Singles
Lily Bazemore (App. St) def. Yukiko Ikedo (CU) 1-6, 6-4,1-0 (6)
Kate Bumgardner (App. St.) def. Willow Gretsch (CU) 6-3, 6-2