Women’s Tennis Fights for 4-3 Win Over No. 49 SDSU

LAS VEGAS – The Air Force women's tennis team closed the opening weekend of Mountain West play on the highest of notes after grinding out a 4-3 win over reigning Mountain West Champion No. 49 San Diego State on Sunday at the Fertitta Tennis Center in Las Vegas.

The Falcons' victory snaps a four-match win streak for SDSU (8-5, 1-1 MW), which included a pair of 4-3 wins of their own, both against ITA-ranked opponents (No. 61 Tulsa, No. 37 Purdue).

The Falcons improved to 10-3 in doubles behind wins on courts one and three for Sydney Fitch/Alexis Odom and Arianna Van Houweling/Courtney Swift. Fitch/Odom took SDSU's Andjela Skrobonja/Andreea Velcea, 6-4, handing the Aztec pair their first doubles loss of the spring; Van Houweling/Swift improved to 2-0 as a pair after debuting on Saturday against UNLV, defeating Rania Azziz/Cecile Morin 6-4.

Air Force found success on courts three (Odom), five (Abby Cotuna) and six (Van Houweling) to clinch the 4-3 team win, with Odom and Van Houweling earning straight-set victories to keep the Falcons out in front.

Cotuna, after falling 6-4 in her first set against Morin, claimed a 7-6 win in the second and finished Morin off, 6-2, in the third, handing Moring her first loss of the dual season.

Head Coach Kim Gidley on the Falcons' Victory:
"It is always a battle when we play San Diego State. SDSU are the defending MWC Champions and are off to their best start since the 2013 season, so we knew what we were getting into today. They are always well coached and today was no different.

"It was a battle from the get go - The doubles, which our team has showed up all season long was huge. Our team was feisty and after the doubles, I challenged them to be the first one off the court with the balls in singles.

"With two matches left (Courtney & Abby), they both gave each other energy to win. Courtney lost a heartbreaker in the second set, but Abby playing next to her saved a match point to go to into the third set, and Abby's come-from-behind win clinched the match. This team has been so close all season long – It was a nice moment to see them storm the court and get to celebrate."

Up Next:
Air Force women's tennis (5-8, 1-1 MW) resumes conference play on March 31 in Albuquerque with another doubleheader road weekend against New Mexico (March 31) and Fresno State (Apr. 1).

Air Force 4, No. 49 San Diego State 3

Singles competition
1. Andjela Skrobonja (SDSU) def. Sydney Fitch (AFA) 6-1, 6-3
2. Dariya Detkovskaya (SDSU) def. Isabella Flodin (AFA) 6-4, 6-2
3. Alexis Odom (AFA) def. Alicia Melosch (SDSU) 6-1, 6-4
4. Rania Azziz (SDSU) def. Courtney Swift (AFA) 6-7, 7-5, 6-2
5. Abby Cotuna (AFA) def. Cecile Morin (SDSU) 4-6, 7-6, 6-2
6. Arianna Van Houweling (AFA) def. Andreea Velcea (SDSU) 6-3, 6-2

Doubles competition
1. Sydney Fitch/Alexis Odom (AFA) def. Andreea Velcea/Andjela Skrobonja (SDSU) 6-4
2. Dariya Detkovskaya/Alicia Melosch (SDSU) def. Isabella Flodin/Abby Cotuna (AFA) 6-1
3. Courtney Swift/Arianna Van Houweling (AFA) def. Rania Azziz/Cecile Morin (SDSU) 6-4

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