Falcons Fall to Wyoming, 5-2, in MWC Opener

Feb. 3, 2008

The Air Force women's tennis team won the top two singles matches Sunday, but fell to Wyoming, 5-2, in the MWC opener for each team. Junior Christine Abayan and senior Lauren Wilson each posted a singles victory for the Falcons, which fell to 0-6 this season.

Wyoming jumped out to a 1-0 lead by taking wins at the Nos. 1 and 3 spots. Rebecca Berger and Corina Lazar won at No. 1, defeating AFA senior Erika Shortridge and sophomore Erlyn Rudico, 8-2. AFA's Abayan and junior Meghan Kiser won at No. 2, downing Michelle Brown and Carly Van Hollen, 8-5. Wyoming clinched the point when Brittany DeFelice and Jamie Nelson beat Wilson and freshman Samantha Sarkis, 8-6, at No. 3.

Abayan and Wilson each won her singles match in a third-set tiebreaker. Abayan saved a match point in the tiebreaker and defeated Lazar, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(6), while Wilson saved a set point in the first set and three match points in the third to down Berger, 7-6(2), 2-6, 7-6(3).

Wyoming stormed back to win the other four singles matches, all in straight sets. Van Hollen defeated Kiser at No. 3, 7-6(5), 7-5, while Brown beat Sarkis, 6-2, 6-4, at No. 4. Sarah Summerfield won at No. 5, defeating AFA freshman Katrina Eromin, 6-3, 6-3 and DeFelice finished off the match with a 6-3, 6-2 win over freshman Sarah Cassman at No. 6.

"This was a barn burner as expected," said Air Force head coach Kim Gidley. "Our effort in every match was amazing. Everyone left everything on the court tonight."

The Falcons are idle for two weeks until hosting South Dakota State (9 a.m.) and Northern Colorado (12 p.m.) on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Wyoming 5, Air Force 2
Sunday, Feb. 3
USAFA, Colo.

Singles
1. Christine Abayan (AF) def. Corina Lazar, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(6)
2. Lauren Wilson (AF) def. Rebecca Berger, 7-6(6), 2-6, 7-6(3)
3. Carly Van Hollen (WY) def. Meghan Kiser, 7-6(5), 7-5
4. Michelle Brown (WY) def. Samantha Sarkis, 6-2, 6-4
5. Sarah Summerfield (WY) def. Katrina Eromin, 6-3, 6-3
6. Brittany DeFelice (WY) def. Sarah Cassman, 6-3, 6-2

Doubles
1. Berger/Lazar (WY) def. Erika Shortridge/Erlyn Rudico, 8-2
2. Abayan/ Kiser (AF) def. Brown/Van Hollen, 8-5
3. DeFelice/Jamie Nelson (WY) def. Sarkis/Wilson, 8-6

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Players Mentioned

Christine Abayan

Sarah Cassman

Katrina Eromin

Meghan Kiser

Erlyn Rudico

Samantha Sarkis

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