In a closely contested match, the Air Force men’s tennis team fell 4-3 to Creighton University at the Hanscom Tennis Courts in Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday night. This match marks Air Force’s second competition of the season, bringing their record to 1-1, while Creighton improved to 3-0.
The Falcons faced an early setback by losing the doubles point, which proved crucial for the outcome. Air Force managed a win at No. 2 where they defeated the duo of Yuma Daijima and Kirtan Patel with a score of 6-4. However, Creighton quickly countered, with Rocky McKenzie and Jack McMahon claiming victory at No. 1 against an Air Force pair also by 6-4, turning the attention to the deciding match at No. 3. In a thrilling tiebreak, Zachary Kuo and Mathis Dahler narrowly edged out their Air Force opponents, clinching the doubles point with a score of 7-6 (13-11).
In singles play, the teams exchanged victories with Creighton winning the first match at No. 1. The Falcons then rallied, winning two consecutive matches with Fritzinger triumphing at No. 4 over Kuo in straight sets (6-1, 6-2), followed by Moore at No. 3, overcoming McKenzie (6-4, 6-1), leveling the score at 2-2. However, Creighton responded decisively, securing the next two crucial points at No. 6 and No. 5, thereby clinching the match. Air Force’s Brown rounded out the competition with a comeback victory at No. 2, defeating Patel after dropping the first set, with scores of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Looking forward, Air Force’s next match is scheduled for Sunday, February 1, against Nebraska, offering the team an opportunity to bounce back from this narrow defeat. The ongoing season holds promise, and the Falcons will aim to continue building on their competitive foundation.