Falcons Drop Spring Opener to Point Loma, 8-1

Jan. 18, 2009

The Air Force men's tennis team lost to Point Loma Nazarene, 8-1, Saturday in both team's 2009 season opener. The Sea Lions, a NAIA affiliate, won all three doubles matches and then claimed five of the six singles points. The Falcons (0-1) claimed their lone point at No. 6 singles when sophomore Johnny Buckingham triumphed in a three-set tie-breaker over PLNU's Jeff Nelson 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4).

The Sea Lions (1-0) swept through doubles to open the non-conference match. Curt Wheeler and Landon Hilker topped Austin Francis and Cody Hall, 8-6, on court one. Joel Myers and Travis Albaugh put down Brett Rodgers and Taylor Soster, 8-5, and the Nelsons (Jeff and Josh) stopped Buckingham and Mike Gies, 8-4.

Singles play followed and it was nearly a PLNU sweep. Myers and Wheeler cruised to straight set wins over Francis and Hall on courts one and two, respectively. Albaugh defeated Rodgers 1-6, 6-4, (10-5) and Hilker gained a 6-4, 6-4 win over Gies on three and four, respectively. Newcomer Trent Brown claimed his first collegiate dual meet point with a tough 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 win over Soster on court five.

The Falcons play UC Riverside on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Point Loma Nazarene 8, Air Force 1
Jan. 17, 2009
Point Loma, Calif.

Singles
#1 Joel Myers (PLNU) def. Austin Francis, 6-3, 6-2
#2 Curt Wheeler (PLNU) def. Cody Hall, 6-3, 6-1
#3 Travis Albaugh (PLNU) def. Brett Rodgers, 1-6, 6-4, (10-5)
#4 Landon Hilker (PLNU) def. Mike Gies, 6-4, 6-4
#5 Trent Brown (PLNU) def. Taylor Soster, 1-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2
#6 Johnny Buckingham (AF) def. Jeff Nelson, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (4)

Doubles
#1 Wheeler/Hilker (PLNU) def. Francis/Hall, 8-6
#2 Myers/Albaugh (PLNU) def. Rodgers/Soster, 8-5
#3 Nelson/Nelson (PLNU) def. Buckingham/Gies, 8-4

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