FORT COLLINS, Colo. – The MSU Denver women's tennis team earned two victories in doubles on Friday while matched up strictly with Division I opponents at the Jon Messick Invitational.
 
Kambra Roles and Kim Heddes were 6-3 winners over Selena Bird/Hitakamya Narwal Singh of South Dakota in the first round of the Green Draw before falling in the quarterfinals by the same score to the Utah State combination of Maile Brilhante/Ana Chavez Sanchez.
 
The Roadrunners' other victory came in the consolation bracket of the Gold Draw, as Courtenay Leonard and Hanna Haber combined to defeat Weber State's Dylan Lolofie/Jessica Hill 6-3.
 
"It was a good first day," MSU Denver coach Bruno Campos said. "We came out ready and played at a decent level today. We're just grateful for the opportunity to play against Division I schools, and it is also good to see that we are improving as a team.
 
"Every day is an opportunity for us to learn something new, and I am sure we will be ready for day two."
 
Lilly Stienemeier turned in perhaps the Roadrunners' most competitive singles match of the day, losing to Niyati Kukreti of Utah State 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the Green Draw.
 
Stienemeier was also in a closely-contested doubles match with partner Emily Hafner: they were beaten 7-6 (4) by Colorado's Ellen Puzak/Anya Nelson in a Gold Draw consolation.
 
In the first round of the Green Draw, Niyati Kukreti/Savannah Johnson of Utah State beat Monica Guarin/Mikayla McKenzie, 7-5. McKenzie was also in a close Orange Draw singles match, falling 7-5, 6-1 to Cielo Tapia-Cruz of Utah State.
 
Competition continues Saturday and Sunday.
 
MSU Denver results Friday:
 
SINGLES
Gold Draw
First round
Zara Lennon (CSU) def. Emily Hafner 6-1, 6-0
 
Green Draw
First round
Sydney Schnell (Wyo) def. Kim Heddes 6-1, 6-0
Niyati Kukreti (USU) def. Lilly Stienemeier 6-4, 6-3
Lucia Malinak (Wyo) def. Hanna Haber 6-1, 6-4
 
Orange Draw
First round
Jessica Hill (WSU) def. Kambra Roles 6-2, 6-4
Logan Voeks (CSU) def. Courtenay Leonard 6-2, 6-0
Willow Gretsch (CU) def. Monica Guarin 6-1, 6-2
Cielo Tapia-Cruz (USU) def. Mikayla McKenzie 7-5, 6-1
 
 
DOUBLES
Gold Draw
First round
Magdalena Nunez Puerco/Cielo Tapia-Cruz (USU) def. Lilly Stienemeier/Emily Hafner, 6-1
Zara Lennon/Sarah Weekley (CSU) def. Courtenay Leonard/Hanna Haber, 6-2
 
Consolation
Ellen Puzak/Anya Nelson (CU) def. Lilly Stienemeier/Emily Hafner, 7-6 (4)
Courtenay Leonard/Hanna Haber def. Dylan Lolofie/Jessica Hill (WSU), 6-3
 
Green Draw
First round
Niyati Kukreti/Savannah Johnson (USU) def. Monica Guarin/Mikayla McKenzie, 7-5
Kambra Roles/Kim Heddes def. Selena Bird/Hitakamya Narwal Singh (USD), 6-3
 
Quarterfinals
Maile Brilhante/Ana Chavez Sanchez (USU) def. Kambra Roles/Kim Heddes, 6-3
 
Consolation
Selena Bird/Hitakamya Narwal Singh (USD) def. Monica Guarin/Mikayla McKenzie, 6-3