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Minnesota to Host Alabama, Colorado and Drake This Weekend
2/13/2026 1:11:00 PM | Tennis
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota tennis team will host three matches this weekend at the Baseline Tennis Center, starting with Alabama and followed by a doubleheader against Colorado and Drake.
Minnesota will host Alabama (6-0) on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m. CT.
On Sunday, The Gophers will take on Colorado (3-1) at 9 a.m. CT, then Drake (1-4) at 2 p.m. CT.
The Season So Far
The Gophers have played two doubleheaders this season and won all four matches to open the year. Minnesota began the season with home victories over Iowa State and North Dakota, then swept a road doubleheader in DeKalb, Illinois, against Western Michigan and Wyoming.
In their most recent matchups, Minnesota defeated Wyoming 6-1 and Colorado State 4-3, remaining unbeaten on the season.
Scouting Alabama
Minnesota and Alabama have met three times since 2002, with the Crimson Tide winning each matchup, including a 4-1 victory in their most recent meeting Feb. 16, 2025. Alabama is led by Kristina Paskauskas, who is ranked No. 45 in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). She holds a 12-2 singles record with notable wins over North Carolina, Tennessee and Clemson. This weekend marks Alabama's first road trip of the year. The Crimson Tide will face Colorado at the Baseline Tennis Center on Friday before taking on Minnesota on Saturday.
Scouting Colorado
Minnesota holds a 1-5 all-time record against Colorado. The teams last met March 1, 2020, when the Buffaloes earned a 4-1 victory. Colorado enters the weekend with a 3-1 record, including wins over Montana State, Air Force and Miami (Ohio). The Buffaloes are led by Rixt van der Werff, who plays at No. 1 singles and No. 3 doubles. She is 2-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles this spring. Recently, The senior duo of Anya Nelson and Ema Bubalo moved into fifth place on the program's career doubles wins list with 34 on Jan. 30.
Scouting Drake
Minnesota holds a 20-1 all-time record against Drake. The teams last met Feb. 12, 2023, when the Gophers earned a 4-2 victory. The Bulldogs enter the weekend with a 1-4 record, with all four losses coming by 4-3 scores. Drake is led by Maja Dodik, who plays at No. 1 singles and doubles. She was named Missouri Valley Conference Singles Player of the Week on Feb. 10. Drake also competed in the annual Gopher Invitational this fall, facing Minnesota twice in singles play and dropping both matches.
Pinto Power
Senior Sofia Pinto has won nine straight matches dating back to Oct. 31, tied for a career-long streak. She has opened the spring season 6-0 in singles and 4-1 in doubles and recorded the 70th singles win of her career with a victory over Northern Illinois on Jan. 31.
Juniors Lead the Charge
Minnesota's junior class has posted an 18-1 combined record in singles this season. Anlin Xie is 5-0, Mia Liepert and Yinong Ma are 4-0, and Jeselle Ante is 4-1.
Doubles Domination
Minnesota has won five straight doubles points after dropping its first of the season against Iowa State. The No. 1 doubles team of Ante and Pinto is 4-1 this spring, while Ma and Xie hold a 3-1 record at No. 2 doubles.
How to Follow
Fans can follow the weekend's events on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
The University of Minnesota is scheduled to livestream each match at this link. Fans can also follow the live scoring of each match.
Next On The Docket
The Golden Gophers will travel to Kansas facing Kansas on Feb. 20, then Kansas State on Feb. 22.
Minnesota will host Alabama (6-0) on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m. CT.
On Sunday, The Gophers will take on Colorado (3-1) at 9 a.m. CT, then Drake (1-4) at 2 p.m. CT.
The Season So Far
The Gophers have played two doubleheaders this season and won all four matches to open the year. Minnesota began the season with home victories over Iowa State and North Dakota, then swept a road doubleheader in DeKalb, Illinois, against Western Michigan and Wyoming.
In their most recent matchups, Minnesota defeated Wyoming 6-1 and Colorado State 4-3, remaining unbeaten on the season.
Scouting Alabama
Minnesota and Alabama have met three times since 2002, with the Crimson Tide winning each matchup, including a 4-1 victory in their most recent meeting Feb. 16, 2025. Alabama is led by Kristina Paskauskas, who is ranked No. 45 in singles by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). She holds a 12-2 singles record with notable wins over North Carolina, Tennessee and Clemson. This weekend marks Alabama's first road trip of the year. The Crimson Tide will face Colorado at the Baseline Tennis Center on Friday before taking on Minnesota on Saturday.
Scouting Colorado
Minnesota holds a 1-5 all-time record against Colorado. The teams last met March 1, 2020, when the Buffaloes earned a 4-1 victory. Colorado enters the weekend with a 3-1 record, including wins over Montana State, Air Force and Miami (Ohio). The Buffaloes are led by Rixt van der Werff, who plays at No. 1 singles and No. 3 doubles. She is 2-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles this spring. Recently, The senior duo of Anya Nelson and Ema Bubalo moved into fifth place on the program's career doubles wins list with 34 on Jan. 30.
Scouting Drake
Minnesota holds a 20-1 all-time record against Drake. The teams last met Feb. 12, 2023, when the Gophers earned a 4-2 victory. The Bulldogs enter the weekend with a 1-4 record, with all four losses coming by 4-3 scores. Drake is led by Maja Dodik, who plays at No. 1 singles and doubles. She was named Missouri Valley Conference Singles Player of the Week on Feb. 10. Drake also competed in the annual Gopher Invitational this fall, facing Minnesota twice in singles play and dropping both matches.
Pinto Power
Senior Sofia Pinto has won nine straight matches dating back to Oct. 31, tied for a career-long streak. She has opened the spring season 6-0 in singles and 4-1 in doubles and recorded the 70th singles win of her career with a victory over Northern Illinois on Jan. 31.
Juniors Lead the Charge
Minnesota's junior class has posted an 18-1 combined record in singles this season. Anlin Xie is 5-0, Mia Liepert and Yinong Ma are 4-0, and Jeselle Ante is 4-1.
Doubles Domination
Minnesota has won five straight doubles points after dropping its first of the season against Iowa State. The No. 1 doubles team of Ante and Pinto is 4-1 this spring, while Ma and Xie hold a 3-1 record at No. 2 doubles.
How to Follow
Fans can follow the weekend's events on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
The University of Minnesota is scheduled to livestream each match at this link. Fans can also follow the live scoring of each match.
Next On The Docket
The Golden Gophers will travel to Kansas facing Kansas on Feb. 20, then Kansas State on Feb. 22.
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