Air Force Academy

Sept. 19, 2001

The Air Force women's tennis team opens its 2001-02 season this weekend at the Colorado Challenge, played at Denver's Stapleton Tennis Pavilion. The Falcons join in-state rivals Denver, Colorado and Colorado State for the three-day tournament beginning Friday, Sept. 21.

Air Force is coming off a 13-16 season in 2000-01, and return five of its top six players. C1C (Sr.) Brooke Parsons leads the way after becoming the program's first Division I all-conference performer last season with 19 singles wins and 15 doubles victories. C3C (So.) Laura Nigro should move up to the No. 2 singles position after an outstanding freshman campaign in which she became the first Falcon in six years to post 40 overall victories. She was 23-15 in singles play and 19-15 in doubles. Also returning are C2C's (Jr.) Heather Shelby and Kelli O'Bryant. Shelby produced an 18-17 singles record last season, while O'Bryant saw most of her action in doubles after returning from an early season injury. Sophomore Gina Black rounds out the top returners after going 12-12 in singles last year, mostly at the No. 5 spot.

Last year's highlights included the retention of the prestigious Gideon Cup with a 5-2 victory over Army at West Point. The Cup, named for Lt. Gen. F.C. Gideon, is awarded annually to the winner of the Air Force-Army match. It was only the second time the visiting team has captured the Cup, and the second time a team has won it in consecutive years. Parsons produced the individual highlight of the season by defeating Annaliese Rose of Florida International, 6-4, 6-4. Rose entered the match ranked No. 61 in the country.

Head coach Kim Gidley enters her fourth season with the Falcons and has a career record of 47-35. She is fifth on the school's all-time wins list and needs seven to pass Mike McClellan and move into fourth place. Gidley earned a special honor last season as she was named the 2000 College Coach of the Year for the Intermountain Division by the United States Professional Tennis Association.

Colorado Challenge Schedule, Sept. 21-23
Air Force Matches
(Singles consists of six matches, doubles consists of three matches)

Friday, Sept. 21 - Doubles vs. Colorado State (3 p.m.), Singles vs. Colorado (4 p.m.)

Saturday, Sept. 22 - Doubles vs. Denver (12 p.m.), Doubles vs. Colorado (1 p.m.), Singles vs. Colorado State (2 p.m.)

Sunday, Sept. 23 - Singles vs. Denver (12 p.m.)

Directions to Stapleton Tennis Pavilion - I-25 to University Blvd., South on University to Asbury, West (Right) on Asbury two blocks, tennis courts on top of parking structure on right side of road.