Falcons Drop Spring Opener to Point Loma, 8-1
    Johnny Buckingham claims lone win for AFA

    Sophomore Johnny Buckingham
    Sophomore Johnny Buckingham

    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
    Inside Men's Tennis

    Live Stats

    Falcon Vision

    Bird Bites

    Team Info

    Photo Galleries

    Contact The Coaching Staff

    Recruit Questionnaire

    Fan Information

    • Fan Guide Open PDF

    Misc.

    SPORTS CAMPS