Air Force Academy
South Dakota St.
Falcons Shut Out South Dakota State, 7-0
2/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Tennis
Feb. 14, 2008
The Air Force men's tennis team won its third consecutive match with a 7-0 victory over South Dakota State Thursday night at the Academy. With the win, the Falcons improved to 4-2 this season.
Air Force took an early 1-0 lead after sweeping the three doubles matches. Sophomore Brett Rodgers and freshman Taylor Soster combined to win the No. 1 doubles match, 8-5, over Michael Engdahl and Cory Paluch. Sophomores Austin Francis and James Tomlin followed suit at No. 2, defeating Jeff Hughes and Wade Kippley, 8-2, while sophomore Mike Gies and freshman Johnny Buckingham routed Steve Grantz and Cody Malik, 8-0, at No. 3.
The Falcons swept all six singles matches as well, but the going was a little tougher. Rodgers and Francis each had to come back from a one-set deficit to win at the top two spots. Rodgers defeated Engdahl, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5, at No. 1, while Francis downed Paluch, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at No. 2. Air Force won the other four singles matches in straight sets.
The Falcons travel to Pocatello, Idaho for a match against Idaho State on Saturday, Feb. 16, beginning at 1 p.m.
Air Force 7, South Dakota State 0
Singles
1. Brett Rodgers (AF) def. Michael Engdahl, 1-6, 6-4, 7-5
2. Austin Francis (AF) def. Cory Paluch, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
3. James Tomlin (AF) def. Brian Hylle, 6-1, 6-1
4. Taylor Soster (AF) def. Steve Grantz, 7-5, 6-4
5. Johnny Buckingham (AF) def. Jeff Hughes, 6-3, 6-1
6. Greg Ferry (AF) def. Cody Malik, 6-2, 6-2
Doubles
1. Rodgers/Soster (AF) def. Engdahl/Paluch, 8-5
2. Francis/Tomlin (AF) def. Hughes/Wade Kippley, 8-2
3. Buckingham/Mike Gies (AF) def. Grantz/Malik, 8-0
Players Mentioned
