DENVER – For the fifth time in three weeks, the MSU Denver women's tennis team will play a Division I opponent.
 
And though Sunday's 1 p.m. dual at Wyoming is an actual regular-season match (the others were exhibitions), the ultimate goal is still the same.
 
"You've got to think long-term and how we're going to finish the season, not right in this moment," MSU Denver coach Josh Graetz said. "The hope is that all these matches we're playing early on will help us down the stretch. When we're playing a conference match that's down to the wire, it could be the difference-maker that we've played a few more matches against tough opponents."
 
In the break between the fall and spring portions of the season, MSU Denver has played Air Force twice as well as New Mexico and Colorado State. Its best result was a 5-2 loss to New Mexico.
 
"Wyoming is a really tough opponent, similar to the teams we've been playing," Graetz said.
 
The ultimate goal is playing well throughout the Division II regular season schedule and the Pacific West Conference Tournament.
 
"At this point we've played enough matches and I feel like we're prepared really well," Graetz said. "I think we've put ourselves in a situation to be successful."
 
Thus far, freshman Ava Neuburger-Higby has been impressive in her first season.
 
"Ava is playing really well," Graetz said. "It's been tough playing No. 1 against good teams, but she's done well. She's really talented and grew up as one of the top two or three players at her age group in Austria. She's been around high-level tennis her whole life.
 
"College tennis has been a good fit for her. I think being in a team environment has been a good fit for her. It's taken the pressure off, because in juniors, it's just all about you. Here being able to have team success has been good for her."
 
Neuburger-Higby has been playing doubles with Isabel Heras.
 
"They really suit each other's personalities and game styles," Graetz said. "Is is really comfortable around the net, and Ava has a big game from the baseline."
 
Another doubles tandem, a carryover from last season, is the combination of Gala Castello and Marie Cool.
 
"Gala is very consistent from the baseline, and Marie moves really, really well around the net, probably the best on the team at the moment," Graetz said.
 
After Sunday's match, the Roadrunners won't play again until embarking upon a four duals in four days trek through Kanas and Missouri that starts March 4.