PUEBLO, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's tennis team split its two matches Saturday at the Colorado State University of Pueblo Duals.
 
The Roadrunners dropped a 4-1 decision to Newman (Kan.), before bouncing back for a 4-2 win over Fort Hays State (Kan.).
 
"Our first match was tough," MSU Denver coach Josh Graetz said. "We were right there in all our matches but just didn't get the result."
 
Tabitha Porter (Auckland, New Zealand/Northcote College) won both her matches at No. 1 singles by scores of 6-2, 6-0 – she beat Newman's Liza Gerasimova in the opener and Fort Hays State's Laura Jimenez in the nightcap.
 
Porter also combined with Mackenzie Hotan (Beaverton, OR/Southridge H.S.) to win at No. 2 doubles against Fort Hays State.
 
"It was great to bounce back against Fort Hays," Graetz said. "They really pushed us early and we had to respond. We're continually learning as a team and I'm looking forward to getting better."
 
MSU Denver returns to action Sept. 28 in the three-day ITA Regionals in Wichita Falls, Texas.
 
Saturday's results:
 
Newman (Kan.) 4, MSU Denver 1
 
Doubles

1. Alex Pessoa (Denver, Colo./Home-schooled)/Helena Steenberg (Skodsborg, Denmark/Naerum Gymnasium, Naerum, Denmark) (MSUD) def. Emily Young/Isabela Campos Bifano (N), 9-8 (3)
2. Vlada Litvanova/Liza Gerasimova (N) def. Tabitha Porter (Auckland, New Zealand/Northcote College)/Mackenzie Hotan (Beaverton, OR/Southridge H.S.) (MSUD), 8-4
3. Emily Wise/Mirella Calvacanti (N) won by default

Singles

1. Porter (MSUD) def. Gerasimova (N) 6-2, 6-0
2. Pessoa (MSUD) vs. Campos Bifano unfinished (Pessoa led 6-1, 6-6)
3. Young (N) def. Steenberg (MSUD) 6-1, 6-2
4. Litvanova (N) def. Ainsley Winterrowd (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston) (MSUD) 6-2, 6-3
5. Calvacanti (N) vs. Hotan (MSUD) unfinished (Calvacanti led 7-6, 1-0)
6. Wise (N) won by default

 
MSU Denver 4, Fort Hays St. (Kan.) 2
 
Doubles

1. Lauren Lindell/Natalie Lubbers (FHSU) def. Alex Pessoa (Denver, Colo./Home-schooled)/Helena Steenberg (Skodsborg, Denmark/Naerum Gymnasium, Naerum, Denmark) (MSUD) 8-6
2. Tabitha Porther/Mackenzie Hotan (Beaverton, OR/Southridge H.S.) (MSUD) def. Nicole Lubbers/Ellea Ediger (FHSU), 8-4
3. Laura Jimenez/Haley Weidemann (FHSU) won by default

 Singles

1. Porter (MSUD) def. Laura Jimenez (FHSU), 6-2, 6-0
2. Pessoa (MSUD) def. Na.Lubbers (FHSU), 4-6, 6-3, 6-0
3. Steenberg (MSUD) def. Ediger (FHSU) 7-5, 6-0

4. Lindell (FHSU) vs. Ainsley Winterrowd (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston) (MSUD) unfinished (Lindell led 6-1, 6-6)
5. Hotan (MSUD) def. Weidemann (FHSU) 6-2, 6-3
6. Ni.Lubbers won by default