Women’s Tennis’ MW Championship Bid Comes to a Close in Title Match

LAS VEGAS – A run to remember for the Air Force women's tennis team came to an end on Saturday afternoon, as the fourth-seeded Falcons fell, 4-1, to No. 2 UNLV in the championship round of the 2023 Mountain West Women's Tennis Championship at the Darling Tennis Center.

The Falcons (12-12), who were picked to finish eleventh in Mountain West preseason polls, closed a 2023 dual season which included three wins over ITA ranked opponents – two of which involved wins over both 2021-22 conference regular-season and tournament champions – on the way to a runner-up finish.

Freshman Abby Cotuna earned the Falcons' one point of the match, winning back-to-back sets, 6-1, after falling behind 6-2 in the first against UNLV's Coco Zhao. Zhao entered the match with a 15-1 dual record, and fourteen-match win streak, which fell at the hands of Cotuna on Saturday. Cotuna closes her first career postseason with a 3-0 mark in singles competition, and 4-1 combined record in the Mountain West Tournament.

Air Force finished 2022-23 dropping its final doubles point against UNLV, after a 12-0 run which began with the Falcons' conference opener on March 25. Air Force closed at 20-4 as a squad in dual doubles, a league-high figure.

UNLV clinched the doubles point with wins on lines one and two; Courtney Swift/Arianna Van Houweling were tied at 4-4 in their set against Zita Kovacs/Aura Fang when the match was called.

From Coach Gidley:
"I am so proud of this team for everything they accomplished on and off the court this season. This is a special group for sure. They have been amazing and it's been an incredible season!

"A special shout out to all the families, alumni, friends, and coaches for reaching out and encouraging the team and supporting them on this great run!"

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