Air Force Academy

Sept. 23, 2001

The Air Force women's tennis team turned in an outstanding performance at the three-day Colorado Challenge held in Denver. The Falcons joined in-state rivals Denver, Colorado and Colorado State.

Air Force came out strong on Friday, Sept. 21, by beating Colorado, 4-2, in singles and Colorado State, 2-1, in doubles. Senior Brooke Parsons led the way by defeating Lia Dimingo of CU, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the No. 1 position. Senior Ashley Gee (No. 3), sophomore Laura Nigro (No. 4) and junior Kelli O'Bryant (No. 6) followed suit with victories.

"Our singles match against Colorado was one of the biggest victories in the time I've been here," said Air Force head coach Kim Gidley. "CU's top three players are playing in the Riviera All-American Tournament, and we beat two of them."

Parsons recently found out that she has been selected to play in the Riviera All-American Tournament as well, which takes place in Pacific Palisades, Calif., Oct. 11-14.

Also on Friday, Parsons and Nigro combined to beat CSU's Sanja Hansson and Catherine Sullivan 8-6 in doubles action. Shelby and sophomore Gina Black posted a 9-8 win over Amanda Bartz and Bobbie Vasos.

Air Force continued its momentum on Saturday, Sept. 22, as the Falcons swept Denver and Colorado in doubles before falling to CSU, 4-2, in singles. Parsons and Nigro won singles matches for AFA, defeating Bartz and Sullivan, respectively, in straight sets. They also fought off two match points and rallied to beat Barbara Kourim and Yanick Dullens of Denver, 9-7, in doubles.

The tournament concluded Sunday, Sept. 23, as the Falcons dominated Denver in singles, 5-1. Parsons led the way against, with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Kourim. Shelby, Nigro, Gee and O'Bryant also posted straight set victories. Black was the lone casualty, falling in three sets.

The Falcons travel to Albuquerque, NM, this weekend for the UNM Invitational. The three-day tournament begins on Friday, Sept. 28.

Colorado Challenge -- Air Force Results

Friday, Sept. 21

Air Force vs. Colorado State (Doubles)
Brooke Parsons/Laura Nigro (AFA) def. Sanja Hansson/Catherin Sullivan, 8-6
Heather Shelby/Gina Black (AFA) def. Amanda Bartz/Bobbie Vasos, 9-8
Dasha Zhurin/Alexandra Paganetti (CSU) def. Ashley Gee/Miclynn Crail, 8-2

Air Force vs. Colorado (Singles)
Brooke Parsons (AFA) def. Lia Dimingo, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
Kate Lutgert (CU) def. Heather Shelby, 6-3, 6-2
Ashley Gee (AFA) def. Tracy Moore, 6-3, 7-5
Laura Nigro (AFA) def. Kendra Strandemo, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
Sarah Austin (CU) def. Gina Black, 6-4, 6-2
Kelli O'Bryant (AFA) def. Lauren Carey, 6-3, 6-2

Saturday, Sept. 22

Air Force vs. Denver (Doubles)
Brooke Parsons/Laura Nigro (AFA) def. Barbara Kourim/Yanick Dullens, 9-7
Heather Shelby/Gina Black (AFA) def. Elizabeth Matthews/Stephanie Ginsburg, 8-6
Ashley Gee/Jennifer Nigro (AFA) def. Maru Altamirano/Niki Armbrust, 8-3

Air Force vs. Colorado (Doubles)
Brooke Parsons/Laura Nigro (AFA) def. Kendra Strandemo/Tracy Moore, 8-1
Heather Shelby/Gina Black (AFA) def. Kate Lutgert/Lia Dimingo, 8-4
Ashley Gee/Jennifer Nigro (AFA) def. Lauren Carey/Sarah Austin, 8-6

Air Force vs. Colorado State (Singles)
Brooke Parsons (AFA) def. Amanda Bartz, 6-3, 6-3
Sanja Hansson (CSU) def. Heather Shelby, 6-3, 6-3
Dasha Zhurin (CSU) def. Ashley Gee, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1
Laura Nigro (AFA) def. Catherine Sullivan, 6-1, 6-4
Alexandria Paganetti (CSU) def. Gina Black, 6-1, 6-4
Bobbie Vasos (CSU) def. Kelli O'Bryant, 6-1, 6-2

Sunday, Sept. 23

Air Force vs. Denver (Singles)
Brooke Parsons (AFA) def. Barbara Kourim, 6-4, 6-3
Heather Shelby (AFA) def. Yanick Dullens, 6-3, 6-1
Laura Nigro (AFA) def. Maru Altamirano, 6-1, 7-5
Ashley Gee (AFA) def. Stephanie Ginsburg, 7-5, 6-4
Elizabeth Matthews (DEN) def. Gina Black, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1
Kelli O'Bryant (AFA) def. Niki Armbrust, 6-1, 6-2