Who | Utah Tech (0-8, 0-0 WAC) vs. Colorado Mesa (6-6, 0-0 PacWest)
When | Friday, March 7 - 11 a.m.
Where | Trailblazer Tennis Courts - St. George
Social Media | Instagram + Twitter (X)

Utah Tech wraps up its opening homestand by taking on former RMAC foe Colorado Mesa on Friday. The Trailblazers are seeking their first win in the dual season. 

A GLANCE AT COLORADO MESA
The Division II Mavericks visit St. George on a two-game losing streak, dropping at DII No. 16 Nebraska-Kearney (6-1) and a home game to Rockhurst (4-0). CMU holds wins over Newman (4-3), Fort Hays State (5-2), Western New Mexico (4-0), Arizona Christian (5-2), Ottawa (Ariz.) (4-1) and Hastings (7-0). Colorado Mesa enters Friday's match at eighth in the PacWest Conference. 

Senior Makenna Livingston leads CMU with seven singles wins across the tour and dual seasons, including five at the number one spot. Junior Jane Steur has the only winning record in singles play for the Mavericks at 6-4, standing at 5-3 at the number six spot. In doubles play, the duo of sophomore Devyn Rodriguez and junior Jade Brilhante stand at 10-6, with a 6-3 mark in the first doubles match. As a team, the Mavericks are 24-22 in doubles play.

Since becoming a Division I institution, Utah Tech leads the series 4-3 over CMU. Dating back to UT's time as a DII program, Colorado Mesa holds a 17-12 advantage all-time, including a 9-7 mark in St. George. The Trailblazers swept the Mavericks 7-0 last season in St. George. 

Following Friday's contest, Colorado Mesa heads to La Mirada, California, to take on Biola on Saturday, March 15.

LAST TIME OUT
Utah Tech women's tennis fell to New Mexico State 4-0 in UT's home opener on Feb. 20 at Trailblazer Tennis Courts. The Trailblazers put up a tough fight against a top Conference USA squad. Doubles play was tightly contested, but ultimately, the Trailblazers fell short in the first and second matches before the third match, featuring sophomore Ana Gutierrez Sampere and junior Nicole Kells, was left unfinished 5-3. Head coach Eric Pelton liked the fight his Trailblazers showed in singles play but emphasized consistency with his players after the match. After dropping the first set 6-2 at number one singles, sophomore Mariana Zurita was leading in the second set 5-3 before the match was left unfinished. Freshman Nutsa Tsintsadze faced an Aggie with a strong serve at the number three singles spot, giving NMSU sophomore Whitney Moon a battle in the first set before their match was left unfinished 5-6, 2-5. Junior Raquel Roshak's contest at the number six singles spot was also left unfished when Roshak was closing the gap in the second set.

MEET THE TRAILBLAZERS
The 2024-25 roster consists of eight student-athletes with one senior, two juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen. Five Trailblazers are international students and three hail from the United States. Senior Laura Coulome (Eastern Arizona) and junior Nicole Kells (Alcorn State) both started their collegiate careers at other schools.

Head coach Eric Pelton is in his 19th season at the helm of Utah Tech women's tennis. Pelton has totaled 104 wins at UT and winning seasons in 2014 (12-9), 2017 (9-8), 2019 (13-4) and 2020 (6-3).

2024 IN REVIEW
The Trailblazers wrapped up their fourth and final season of transition to Division I in 2024 with a 6-16 (0-7 WAC) record, defeating UT Dallas, Colorado Mesa, Ottawa University (Ariz.), and Arizona Christian, along with a pair of wins over Mesa Community College.

UP NEXT
Utah Tech heads north for a doubleheader on Sunday, March 9, to take on Boise State and the College of Idaho at the Boas Indoor Tennis Center in Boise, Idaho. The Trailblazers will face the Broncos at 11 a.m. and the Yotes at 6 p.m.