COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Metropolitan State University of Denver women's team had to work hard for it, but had a successful start to their season Friday at the Air Force Invitational.
 
The men's team, meanwhile, is battling through injuries, coach Josh Graetz (Albury, Australia/The Scots School) said, and participated in only a handful of matches.
 
On the women's side, Tabitha Porter (Auckland, New Zealand/Northcote College), Alex Pessoa (/), Helena Steenberg (Skodsborg, Denmark/Naerum Gymnasium, Naerum, Denmark) and Ainsley Winterrowd (Lacey, Wash./North Thurston) all won their singles matches, though they were pushed to their limits in each match.
 
Pessoa and Steenberg went 2-0 as a doubles tandem.
 
"The women performed really well today," Graetz said. "I was really impressed by the overall grit of the group. There were a lot of tight matches and we were able to finish on top in all of those."
 
Porter won her singles match 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. Pessoa won 6-4, 4-6, 6-0. Steenberg won 7-5, 4-6, 6-0. Winterrowd claimed a difficult two-set win 7-6 (6), 6-4.
 
Porter combined with Mackenzie Hotan (Beaverton, OR/Southridge H.S.) to go 1-1 in singles.
 
The highlight for the men's team was a three-set singles win by Alejandro Martinez-Morilla (Madrid, Spain/I.E. Valdecas).
 
"The men had a tough day," Graetz said. "We have been hit hard by injury, however we will use this as a chance to build from adversity. I was really impressed by Alejandro in his singles win over a very solid player."
 
The three-day tournament continues Saturday and concludes Sunday.