Abriola Stages Epic Rally to Lead Cowgirls Past NAU

Faced match point down 5-2 in the third set

LARAMIE, Wyo. (Feb. 14, 2025) – Serina Abriola faced match point, trailing 5-2 in the third set, but was able to stage a furious rally to win the decisive third set tiebreaker to propel the Wyoming Cowgirls to a thrilling 4-3 win Friday against Northern Arizona. Abriola won at the No. 6 singles spot, 6-3, 2-6 and 7-6 (7-4).

“Every match is kind of like Disneyland. Every ride is a little different,” said Head Coach Dean Clower afterwards.

“That was the type of match we played today. But honestly, it’s all about Serina. She has been here for three years, redshirted, came in as a walk-on, now she’s on scholarship, is a co-captain and she won today because of all of her hard work over the past three-plus years. She had so much heart, so much heart, I can’t tell you how proud I am of Serina.”

The Cowgirls (2-7) also picked up singles wins at the No. 1 and 5 positions Friday. Eugenia Ceinos, at the first spot and Dilnaz Mashabayeva at five, both won in straight sets. Ceinos came out on top, 6-4 and 6-4 while Mashabayeva made quick work of her match, winning 6-0, 6-2.

In addition to its three singles wins, Wyoming started the match by earning a hard-fought Doubles Point. The Cowgirls pulled it out behind the strength of a 6-2 win from Ceinos and Mashabayeva at No. 1. While at No. 3, Abriola and Ruby Young surged late for a 6-4 win to clinch the point for the Brown & Gold.

Wyoming returns to action a week from today as it will play a pair of matches Friday and Saturday. The Cowgirls face Idaho in Moscow, Idaho Friday before a neutral-site matchup with Pacific Saturday morning.

Wyoming vs. Northern Arizona

2/14/25 in Laramie, Wyo.

Wyoming 4, Northern Arizona 3

Doubles competition

1. Ceinos/Mashabayeva (WYO) def. Shoshyna/Jantacova 6-2

2. Duhl/Niewiadomska def. Kochelaevskaia/Trencheva (WYO) 6-4

3. Abriola/Young (WYO) def. Kovalenko/Noguera 6-4

Singles competition

1. Ceinos (WYO) def. Shoshyna 6-4, 6-4

2. Niewiadomska def. Kochelaevskaia (WYO) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1

3. Noguera def. Young (WYO) 6-0, 6-3

4. Jantacova def. Trencheva (WYO) 6-4, 7-5

5. Mashabayeva (WYO) def. Kovalenko 6-0, 6-2

6. Abriola (WYO) def. Stojanovic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4)