Air Force Academy

April 30, 2004

The Air Force women's tennis team was eliminated from the 2004 Mountain West Conference Women's Tennis Championships Friday, falling to Colorado State, 4-1, in the consolation round. The Falcons, who were seeded eighth entering the tournament, finish the campaign with a 13-14 record.

Air Force took an early 1-0 lead by capturing the doubles point. Seniors Laura Nigro and Gina Black won at the No. 1 position, defeating Dasha Zhurin and Emily Kirchem, 8-6. The All-MWC duo finished the season with a 19-11 overall record and a 14-7 mark at No. 1 doubles. Nigro completed her career with 91 career doubles victories and Black recorded 81 in her four years at Air Force. Air Force also won the No. 2 match as sophomore Kat Bushey and freshman Karissas Walker defeated Carla Pallares and Jasmin Singh, 8-6. CSU's Tatyana Ugorich and Alexandra Paganetti won the No. 3 match, 8-2, over junior Miclynn Crail and freshman Liza Vaccaro

The momentum did not carry over to singles play for the Falcons, however. Colorado State captured the No. 3, 4, 5 and 6 matches, all in straight sets. Pallares beat Walker, 6-3, 6-1, at No. 3, while Charity Malone knocked off Black, 6-3, 6-0, at the No. 4 spot. Jessica Jones defeated Kelly Morgan, 6-3, 6-3, at the No. 6 position and Ugorich clinched the match for the Rams with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over AFA's Katie Tomkie at No. 5.

The Nos. 1 and 2 singles matches were halted when CSU wrapped up the team match.

Colorado State 4, Air Force 1
Consolation Round - MWC Women's Tennis Championships

Singles
1. Dasha Zhurin (CSU) vs. Laura Nigro 6-0, 3-6, 5-1 (DNF)
2. Emily Kirchem (CSU) vs. Kat Bushey 6-4, 3-5 (DNF)
3. Carla Pallares (CSU) def. Karissa Walker 6-3, 6-1
4. Charity Malone (CSU) def. Gina Black 6-3, 6-0
5. Tatyana Ugorich (CSU) def. Katie Tomkie 6-2, 6-4
6. Jessica Jones (CSU) def. Kelly Morgan 6-3, 6-3

Doubles
1. Nigro/Black (AFA) def. Zhurin/Kirchem 8-6
2. Bushey/Walker (AFA) def. Pallares/Jasmin Singh 8-6
3. Ugorich/Alexandra Paganetti (CSU) def. Miclynn Crail/Liza Vaccaro 8-2