LONG BEACH, Calif. – The University of Denver women's tennis team began the 2026 Long Beach State Winter Invitational with an unexpected change in opponent.
 
Originally slated to play Cal State Northridge in doubles and host LBSU in singles, DU ended up facing off against CSUN in both singles and doubles after delays due court conditions. As a result, teams will now face off against the same opponent in singles and doubles on each day for the remainder of the tournament.
 
In doubles, Denver created pairings that were uncommon throughout much of the fall season. Seniors Hana Bečirovič Novak and Marley Lambert teamed up for just the third time while sophomore Natálie Cinková and freshman Yunfei Cai played together for just the second time. Seniors Claudia Martinez de Velasco and Louise Wikander played nearly the entire 2024-25 season together but made their 2025-26 debut on Friday.
 
DU's six doubles players also took to the court in singles.
 
Denver is expected to mix up its lineups on Saturday.
 
FRIDAY'S RESULTS
Doubles
Bečirovič Novak/Lambert def. Robertson/West (CSUN) : 6-0
Martinez de Velasco/Wikander def. Dermenjyan/Harper (CSUN): 6-1
Argulles/Moratella Sanz (CSUN) def. Cai/Cinková: 6-3
 
Singles
Louise Wikander def. Nicole West (CSUN): 6-3 7-5
Emma Moratella Sanz (CSUN) def. Marley Lambert: 6-3 6-2
Natálie Cinková def. Sofia Dermenjyan (CSUN): 6-4 6-2
Hana Bečirovič Novak def. Vito Solis Urdiales (CSUN): 6-1 6-7(4) 6-4
Annette Robertson (CSUN) def. Claudia Martinez de Velasco: 6-3 2-6 6-4
Yunfei Cai def. Sandra Arguelles (CSUN): 6-1 6-1
 
The Long Beach State Winter Invitational continues on Saturday with Denver now set play against Cal State Fullerton, starting with doubles at 10 a.m. PT/11 a.m. MT.