March 20, 2005

LOGAN, Utah - In a close match Sunday afternoon Utah State's women's tennis team fell 4-3 to the Air Force Academy here in Logan. The Aggies are now 6-7.

Utah State started off strong winning the doubles point and the No. 1 singles point to go up 2-0. In the next four matches the Aggies were able to take three of them to three sets, but weren't able to win a single one.

"The effort today was great," said head tennis coach Christian Wright. "We just got a little cautious. Once we had the lead it was as if we tried to protect it. We needed to be more aggressive, but over all the women played very well."

Lindsey Bennion won the No. 1 spot against Kat Bushey 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. Erin Manning won the No. 6 spot playing a "pro-match" to 8-4, since the overall score had been decided.

In doubles action Courtney Anderson and Andrea Barker teamed to win the No. 2 spot 8-5, while Jill Smith and Lauren Monson also took the No. 3 spot 8-5.

The Aggie women will be in action again on March 24 in Logan where they will take on Colorado State at 1 p.m.

Air Force Academy 4, Utah State 3
Singles
No. 1 Lindsey Bennion (USU) def. Kat Bushey 6-0, 4-6, 6-3
No. 2 Karissa Walker (AFA) def. Jill Smith 6-4, 6-7, 3-6
No. 3 Lauren Wilson (AFA) def. Carolyn Stephens 6-2, 6-3
No. 4 Katie Tomkie (AFA) def. Andrea Barker 6-4, 4-6, 6-7
No. 5 Liza Vaccaro (AFA) def. Lauren Monson 6-3, 2-6, 6-3
No. 6 Erin Manning (USU) def. Miclynn Crail 8-4
Doubles
No. 1 Bushey/Walker (AFA) def. Bennion/Stephens 7-9
No. 2 Anderson/Barker (USU) def. Vaccaro/Morgan 8-5
No. 3 Smith/Monson (USU) def. Wilson/Shortridge 8-5