Air Force Dominant Over San Diego State, Snaps Skid To Aztecs

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Air Force men's tennis (8-8, 1-2 MW) defeated San Diego State (3-10, 0-3 MW) 4-1 in a Mountain West dual Friday afternoon at the USAFA Indoor Tennis Courts. The win snapped a 32-match losing streak to the Aztecs dating back to 1989 and gave the Falcons its first win in the series in the Mountain West era.

After dropping the doubles point in a tiebreaker, the Falcons reeled off four wins in a row in singles play for the historic win. The Falcons won three tiebreakers in singles play.

Sophomore Justin Waldman had the clinching win at No. 4 singles defeating Victor Castro 6-4, 7-6 (7-2).

Air Force went 1-2 in doubles to give up the point to San Diego State. Robert Baylon and Jordan Azuma won at No. 2 over Ignacio Martinez and Judson Blair 6-3. Paul Hendrix and Jamie Bautista fell at No. 1 to Johannes Seeman and Victor Castro 6-3. In the deciding third doubles match, Justin Waldman and Sean McKendree dropped the tiebreaker at No. 3 to Rafael Gonzalez and Roni Rikkonen 7-6 (8-6).

In singles, Jonathan Mascagni tied it up with a win at No. 4 over Rikkonen 6-4, 6-2. Hendrix then won at No. 1 over 123 ranked Seeman 6-3, 7-6 (9-7) to put the Falcons ahead 2-1. Robert Baylon then won at No. 2 over Ignacio Martinez 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) to put the Falcons ahead 3-1. Waldman then clinched the match with his win.

"This was a great team win today," head coach Dan Oosterhous said. "I am so proud of how the team has continued to fight and today we showed how tough we can be mentally. Losing the doubles point didn't affect the guys and they went out and took care of their courts in singles. We've been preparing for this difficult weekend all year and they have really stepped to play better each match."

Air Force has now won three of its last four. The Falcons wrap up their four-match home stand Sunday, April 11, hosting UNLV.

San Diego State vs. Air Force
Doubles
Johannes Seeman/Victor Castro (SDSU) def. Paul Hendrix/Jamie Bautista (AF) 6-3
Robert Baylon/Jordan Azuma (AF) def. Ignacio Martinez/Judson Blair (SDSU) 6-3
Rafael Gonzalez/Roni Rikkonen (SDSU) def. Justin Waldman/Sean McKendree (AF) 7-6 (8-6)
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3

Singles
Paul Hendrix (AF) def. Johannes Seeman (SDSU) 6-3, 7-6 (9-7)
Robert Baylon (AF) def. Victor Castro (SDSU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-3)
Justin Waldman (AF) def. Ignacio Martinez (SDSU) 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)
Jonathan Mascagni (AF) def. Roni Rikkonen (SDSU) 6-4, 6-2
Sean McKendree (AF) vs. Rafael Gonzalez (SDSU) 4-2, unfinished
Nick Vroman (AF) vs. Judson Blair (SDSU) 3-1, unfinished
Order: 4, 1, 2, 3

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