The University of Denver women’s tennis team began its fall season with impressive singles play at the University of New Mexico Invitational in Albuquerque Sept. 19-21.

Seniors Annette Aksdal and Kyla Iwinski both captured first place singles titles, Aksdal winning Flight A and Iwinski Flight B. Junior Julia Bauregger also captured the Fight A consolation title, helping the Pioneer women go 3-for-3 in singles title competition.

Aksdal prevailed in the championship Flight A match, winning in comeback fashion. After narrowly taking the first set 7-6, Aksdal lost the second set 6-7. In the third set, Aksdal trailed 2-5 to start but bounced back, defeating New Mexico’s Ola Abou-Zerky 7-5 and completing a masterful comeback performance.

In the Flight B final, Iwinski’s consistent play carried her through the final as she triumphed over Texas Tech’s Stefani Peana, winning in three sets 4-6, 7-6, 7-5.

On the first day of competition, the Pioneers swept the competition, winning all of their singles matches. Iwinski won both of her singles matches handily, beating players from the University of Kansas and the University of Northern Arizona.

Following the precedent of Iwinski, Aksdal and Bauregger continued to teach opposing players the finer points of tennis without a partner or doubles alleys, as each of them won their sole singles match of the day.

Aksdale defeated an Abilene Christian University opponent in straight sets 6-2, 6-2, and Bauregger took down a Texas Tech foe-a Red Raider-in three sets 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

In second day action, Aksdal continued her domination, winning two matches, both in straight sets to advance to the final. Iwinski also advanced to the final of her respective Flight B final, winning her only match of the day 6-2, 5-7, 6-4.

However it was not all straight sets and victory dances for the lady Pioneers, as Julia Bauregger lost her first match of the tournament to eventual Flight A runner-up Ola Abou-Zerky 6-4, 6-3. Despite losing the only Pioneer women’s single match of the tournament, Bauregger redeemed herself on the last day of competition, winning the Flight A consolation title 6-2, 6-1 over a Northern Arizona opponent.

By only dropping one of eleven singles matches the entire tournament, the Pioneer women’s tennis trio of Aksdale, Bauregger, and Iwinski proved that their expertise on the singles court and their tenacious “play for keeps” attitude will bring them much more than three singles titles trophies from the University of New Mexico Tennis Invitational this season.