Day Fri.-Sun. Fri.-Sun. Fri.-Sat. Fri.-Sat. Fri. Sun. Sat.
Date Sept. 24-26 Oct. 1-3 Oct. 15-17 Nov. 5-7 Jan. 21 Jan. 23 Jan. 29
Fri. Sat. Sun. Sat.
Feb. 4 Feb. 5 Feb. 6 Feb. 12
Fri. Sat.
Feb. 18 Feb. 26
Sun.
Feb. 27
Sat. Sun. Sat.
Mar. 5 Mar. 6 Mar. 18
Sat. Sun. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. Sat. Sun. Wed.-Sat.
Apr. 2 Apr. 3 Apr. 7 Apr. 8 Apr. 16 Apr. 17 Apr. 23 Apr. 24 Apr. 27 – 30
Opponent Washington State Classic USAFA Invitational Florida International Tourney Harvard Invitational Colorado Denver Seattle Univ. Northern Colorado Montana State Montana Gonzaga Wofford South Dakota Bowling Green Dayton West Virginia State Ball State Robert Morris Iowa State Drake CSU-Pueblo Metro State San Diego State* UNLV* BYU* Utah* New Mexico* TCU* Colorado State* Wyoming* MWC Championships
* Mountain West Conference Match Times are local to site and subject to change
Site Pullman, WA USAFA Miami, FL Boston, MA USAFA USAFA USAFA USAFA Bozeman, MT Bozeman, MT Bozeman, MT USAFA USAFA USAFA Dayton, OH Dayton, OH Dayton, OH Dayton, OH Ames, IA Des Moines, IA USAFA USAFA Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas, NV Provo, UT Salt Lake City, UT USAFA USAFA Fort Collins, CO Laramie, WY Fort Collins, CO
Time TBA TBA TBA TBA 4 p.m. 1 p.m. 8 a.m. 4 p.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m. 9 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 8 a.m. 1:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 11 a.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 11 a.m. 8 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 12 p.m. 2 p.m. 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 1 p.m. 11 a.m. TBA
AIR FORCE TENNIS 2010-11 Falcon Facts
What’s Inside 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falcon Facts 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Head Coach Kim Gidley 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Coach Nick Dargene 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Support Staff 5-6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2010-11 Season Preview 7-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meet The Falcons
School Information Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USAFA, Colo. 80840 Founded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1954 Enrollment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,400 Nickname . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falcons Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blue and Silver Affiliation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NCAA I Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mountain West Home Courts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cadet Gymnasium Superintendent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould Athletic Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Hans Mueh Associate AD/Intercollegiate Programs . . . . . . . . Marti Gasser
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Division II History 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Division I History 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Year-by-Year / Coaching Records 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Academic / Sportsmanship Awards 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sports Medicine / Human Performance Lab
Coaching Staff Head Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim Gidley Alma Mater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southern Illinois, 1989 Office Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (719) 333-2489 E-Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kim.Gidley@usafa.edu School Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149-176 (12 years) Career Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Same Assistant Coach: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick Dargene (Iowa, 2003)
19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mountain West Conference 20`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Falcon Fun Off The Court 21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The USAFA 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USAFA Senior Leadership 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Director of Athletics 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . USAFA Athletics
Credits
Team Information 2009-10 Record. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-12 2009-10 Conference Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6 Postseason . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-1 @ MWC Tournament Letterwinners Ret./Lost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9/1
Athletic Communications Associate AD/Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Troy Garnhart Women’s Tennis SID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Cross Office Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (719) 333-3950 Office Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (719) 333-3798 E-Mail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry.Cross@usafa.edu Website. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.goairforcefalcons.com
The 2010-11 women’s tennis media guide is a product of the Air Force Academy’s athletic communications office. The guide was written and designed by assistant communications director Jerry Cross using QuarkXPress desktop publishing software. Thanks to Madeline McGuire for the cover designs and the athletic communications office for editing assistance. Individual and action photos courtesy of DenMar Services. Printed by McCormick-Armstrong Co., Inc., in Wichita, Kansas.
GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM
Mountain West Conference Commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Craig Thompson Associate Commissioner/Communications . . . . Javan Hedlund Tennis Contact. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zach Eisendrath Office Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (719) 488-4046 Office Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (719) 487-7241 E-Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . zeisendrath@themwc.com Mailing Address . . . . . . . . . . . . 15455 Gleneagle Dr., Suite 200 Colorado Springs, CO 80921 Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.themwc.com
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HEAD COACH KIM GIDLEY Kim Gidley is in her 13th season as head coach of the women's tennis team at the Air Force Academy. The first civilian and longesttenured head coach in the 28year history of the program, Gidley became the winningest coach in program history in 2003 with her 76th victory and recorded her 100th career victory during the 2005-06 season against South Dakota State. She enters the ‘10-11 campaign with a 149-176 career record. Last season, Gidley led the Falcons to a 16-12 record, AFA’s best season since 1999 and its first winning campaign since 2003. She also produced two Mountain West Conference victories, the most in a season since ‘03, and guided AFA to its first shutout of an MWC team when the Falcons beat New Mexico, 7-0. Gidley also saw some of her players reach new heights in ‘09-10. Junior Tahlia Smoke became the first Air Force female to acheive a national Division I ranking at #102 in the fall and the top 25 recruiting class in the country proved to be as good as it was on paper with sophomore Melissa Cecil setting a Division I school record with 28 overall singles wins. Even though she is a civilian coach, Gidley is familiar with military life. She grew up in a military family as her father, Jim, was a Lt. Col. in the Air Force and retired in 1977 after 22 years of service. Prior to joining the Academy's staff, Gidley was an assistant coach at the University of Idaho in 1997-98. Gidley is a 1989 graduate of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. At SIUE, Gidley helped the Cougars to the 1989 NCAA Division II national championship while earning All-American honors for the second consecutive year. She was ranked nationally as high as No. 3 in singles and No. 5 in doubles during the year.
The Abilene, Texas, native was also a standout in the classroom. She earned GTE Academic All-American honors and was SIUE's top scholar-athlete. She was also awarded an ITCA academic postgraduate scholarship. In 2008, Gidley was inducted into SIUE’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 1988 and ‘89 championship teams. Prior to attending SIUE, Gidley attended Abilene Christian University. She lettered in tennis and won her first All-American honor while leading the Wildcats to an NCAA Division II national runner-up finish. She was ranked No. 5 nationally in singles and No. 6 in doubles. Gidley was also invited to the 1984 Olympic Trials for tennis. Following graduation, Gidley began her coaching career as the assistant women's coach at West Virginia University . While at WVU, she earned her master's degree in gifted education in 1991. She then returned to her hometown to coach at her high school alma mater, Abilene High School. She was an assistant from 199093 and head coach from 1993-97. Gidley's coaching experience and success is not limited to the high school and collegiate ranks. She has held several assistant and head professional positions at various country clubs and municipal tennis centers, while coaching some of the best junior players in the country. Gidley worked with the No. 1 ranked male and female players from Kentucky, Texas and West Virginia. In addition, she has coached over 300 USTA sectionally ranked players and many nationally ranked juniors, including one former player with a world ranking and two former All-Americans. Additionally, she twice served as a clinician at the Youth through Education and Sports program (Y.E.S.) held at the NCAA Tournament, coached the USTA Intermountain Boys & Girls 16s National Zonal Team from 2001-03 and coached the USTA Intermountain Girls 18s Federation Cup Team from 2002-07. Gidley also served on the NCAA Division I Central Region ranking committee. She currently sits on the Regional Advisory Committee for Division I women’s tennis and the ITA Operating Committee. Gidley belongs to several professional tennis organizations, including the United States Professional Tennis Association. She has been honored twice by the USPTA as the Intermountain College Coach of the Year, most recently in March of 2008. Among her other awards, she received the USTA/ITA National Community Outreach Award for 2009 as well as USAFA's Instructor of the Semester for lifetime sports.
Coach Gidley’s dog, Chewy
T HE G IDLEY F ILE Hometown Abilene, Texas Education Southern Illinois Univ.-Edwardsville Edwardsville, Ind. B.S., Education, 1989 West Virginia Univ. Morgantown, W.V. M.A, Gifted Education, 1991
Playing Experience SIU-Edwardsville 1985-89 Four-year letterwinner All-American, 1987-89 Ranked No. 3 in singles nationally Ranked No. 5 in doubles nationally GTE Academic All-American Coaching Experience Air Force, Head Coach 1998-present Univ. of Idaho, Assistant Coach 1997-98 Abilene High School, Head Coach 1993-97 Abilene High School, Assistant Coach 1990-93 West Virginia U., Grad. Assistant Coach 1989-90
Coach Gidley’s family
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2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
ASSISTANT COACH NICK DARGENE Nick Dargene is in his third season as an assistant coach with the Air Force women’s tennis program. The program has thrived in his two years at the Academy. After recording just six victories in the season prior to his arrival, the Falcons improved in each of the last two seasons, winning 10 matches in 2008-09 and 16 matches last year, the most in one season since 1999. Dargene was also very instrumental in bringing in an outstanding recruiting class last season. That class produced three of the top four players in singles victories, Melissa Cecil (28), Christine Molina (27) and Hannah Dake (22), during the 2009-10 season. Before joining the Falcon coaching staff, Dargene spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the women’s tennis team at the University of Wyoming. Prior to working at Wyoming, he spent three years as a volunteer assistant tennis coach and administrative intern at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. During that time, he served as the head tennis professional and program coordinator at the University Athletic Club (June 2004-June 2006), while providing tennis lessons for the University of Iowa's Recreation Services Department (June 2002-June 2006). His responsibilities included all aspects of tennis management at the club which entailed private lessons, junior programs, adult clinics and leagues. Dargene began his collegiate career as a student-athlete at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. He compiled winning records at the Nos. 2 and 3 singles positions and the Nos. 1 and 2 doubles spots. He was also honored as the NEC Athlete of the Week and received the Most Improved Athlete Award given by his team during his sophomore season. An avid tennis player, he started taking lessons at the age of five and began playing in junior tournaments when he was 12. Throughout his juniors career, he was a highlyranked USTA player in the Northern Illinois District, including being ranked number one in the USTA boys 18 and under in 1998. In high school, Dargene was a three-time state qualifier earning all-conference honors twice and all-state once. During that time, he was named the team MVP as a junior and senior, while being named a team captain. Dargene, who earned a bachelor's of business administration in marketing with a minor in political science from the University of Iowa in 2003, completed his master's in sports and health studies from Iowa in December of 2006. In the fall of 2010 Nick was named Instructor of the semester for Lifetime Sports.
T HE D ARGENE F ILE Hometown Rockford, Ill.
Education University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa B.BA., Marketing, 2003 University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa M.A., Sports and Health Studies, 2006
Playing Experience Monmouth University West Long Branch, N.J. Most Improved Player, 2001 Played Nos. 2 and 3 singles Played Nos. 1 and 2 doubles
Coaching Experience Air Force, Assistant Coach 2008Wyoming, Assistant Coach 2006-08 University of Iowa, Administrative Intern 2004-06 University Athletic Club (Iowa City, IA) Head Tennis Professional 2004-06
Nick Dargene and his dad, Mark
GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM
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SUPPORT STAFF LT. C OL . J OHN P EAK O FFICER R EPRESENTATIVE Lt. Col. John Peak is in his first season as an officer representative for the women’s tennis program. Peak is currently Deputy Head and assistant professor in the department of Chemistry at the Academy. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from Wright State University as a 4-year ROTC scholarship winner with distinction in 1988, earned a master’s degree in Chemistry from Wright State University in 1989, and a Ph.D. from the Univ. of Florida in 2007. Peak has served in various assignments as a navigator in the KC135 and T-43 aircraft as well as serving as an adjunct instructor for the USAF’s test pilot school at Edwards AFB, CA. During his thirteen years as an operational navigator, he has been stationed at Beale AFB, Calif., Fairchild AFB, Wash.,, RAF Mildenhall, UK as well as Randolph AFB, Texas. During these assignments, he has flown in and/or supported OPERATIONS DESERT STORM, DESERT FOX, NOBLE ANVIL, ALLIED FORCE, SILVER WAKE, VILGILENT WARRIOR, PROVIDE COMFORT, NORTHERN WATCH, SOUTHERN WATCH, and ENDURING FREEDOM Peak has been awarded the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Meritorious Services medal with one oak leaf cluster as well as being awarded the honor of USAFE Flight Safety officer of the Year. Peak has two children, Cameron and Kelsey.
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M AJOR C HRISTEL B ERGIN E LIGIBILTY R EPRESENTATIVE Major Christel (Helquist) Bergin is in her first season as the eligibility representative for the women’s tennis team. She was a four-year letterwinner in tennis at the Academy before graduating in 1998. Bergin won 48 doubles matches and 42 singles matches in her career and was the team captain as a senior. Following her graduation, Begin attending pilot training at Columbus AFB, Miss., then flew the E-3B at Tinker AFB, Okla. and for NATO at Geilenkirchen AB, Germany. She deployed twice during Operation Enduring Freedom. Prior to returning to USAFA, she taught pilot training in the T1A at Vance AFB, Okla. She earned master’s degrees in international relations and in counseling and is a senior pilot with over 3,500 hours. She is currently the AOC for Cadet Squadron 27 and flies the TG-10B as an additional duty. Bergin and her husband, Major David Bergin, have one son, 15-month old Michael.
2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW The rebuilding process is nearly finished and after last year’s impressive performance, the Air Force women’s tennis team will receive higher expectations and expect better results in 2010-11. The Falcons improved from six wins in 200708 to 16 last season, the most since 1999, and return five of the top singles players from the spring of 2010. Add to that nucleus a top recruit and head coach Kim Gidley feels confident about her team continuing to improve this season. Gidley, who enters her 13th campaign at Air Force as the program’s alltime leader with 149 victories, hopes her squad can improve on its 16-12 overall and 2-6 league record. Leading the way are two seniors that have been instrumental in the turnaround the past two seasons. The team’s reigning MVP, Christen Monreal, returns after playing 22 matches at the No. 1 singles position in 2010. She won 18 matches overall, falling just short of her third 20-plus win season in singles. She had a solid doubles season as a junior, going 13-4 overall and 12-3 in dual matches with Christine Molina and earning her second straight 20 -plus season in doubles. Monreal became the only player on the team to have won over a 100 matches and four 20-plus winning seasons. Sarah Cassman also returns for her final season with the Falcons. The twotime ITA Academic All-American and ITA Arthur Ashe Jr. Sportsmanship winner for the Mountain Region won a career-high 25 singles matches last season, the third-
2010-11 S CHEDULE
Senior Christen Monreal
highest total on the team, and was 18-10 in dual matches. Cassman was a standout at the Nos. 5 and 6 spots, producing a combined 15-7 record. She is the first Falcon in the Division I era (since 1996) to win at least 20 singles matches in three straight seasons. Tahlia Smoke is back for her junior campaign. Smoke made history last fall when she became AFA’s first female to be nationally ranked in the Division I era, making the rankings at No. 102 after going 5-0 in singles. She finished the season with a 21-12 overall record and was 16-12 in dual matches, most of them at the No. 2 position. Smoke should enter
Date Sept. 24-26
Opponent Time Washington State Classic TBA
Oct. 1-3
USAFA Invitational
Oct. 15-17
Florida International Tourney TBA
Nov. 5-7
Harvard Invitational
Jan. 21
Colorado
4 p.m.
Jan. 23
Denver
1 p.m.
Jan. 29
Seattle Univ. Northern Colorado
8 a.m. 4 p.m.
Feb. 4
Montana State
2 p.m.
Feb. 5
Montana
10 a.m.
Feb. 6
Gonzaga
9 a.m.
Feb. 12
Wofford South Dakota
Feb. 18
Bowling Green
Feb. 26
Dayton West Virginia State
1:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
Feb. 27
Ball State Robert Morris
11 a.m. 3:30 p.m.
Mar. 5
Iowa State
3:30 p.m.
Mar. 6
Drake
Mar. 18
CSU-Pueblo Metro State
Apr. 2
San Diego State*
10 a.m.
Apr. 3
UNLV*
10 a.m.
Apr. 7
BYU*
12 p.m.
Apr. 8
Utah*
2 p.m.
Apr. 16
New Mexico*
10 a.m.
Apr. 17
TCU*
10 a.m.
Apr. 23
Colorado State*
Apr. 24
Wyoming*
Apr. 27 – 30
MWC Championships
TBA
TBA
1:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 8 a.m.
11 a.m. 8 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
1 p.m. 11 a.m. TBA
Home Matches in Bold * MWC Match # Fort Collins, Colo. Times are local to site
Sophomore Melissa Cecil
GOAIRFORCEFALCONS.COM
5
2010-11 SEASON PREVIEW the season with a bunch of confidence after winning the doubles title and finishing third in singles at the ITA Summer Circuit Event held at the Academy in July. Junior Megumi Voight returns to the team after taking her sophomore season off. The four-star recruit out of Alpharetta, Ga., made an immediate impact in the singles and doubles line-up this fall, winning two flights and was named USFA athlete of the week. Sophomores Melissa Cecil and Hannah Dake are back after each had a successful inaugural campaign. Cecil posted 28 overall singles victories last season, the most by a Falcon in the Division I era (1996) and the most since Laura Simmons won 31 matches during the 1993-94 season. Cecil, who was named the MWC Player of the Week and the USAFA Athlete of the Week in January, finished the campaign with a 28-12 overall record and was 19-6 in dual matches. She also won 16 doubles matches during her first campaign at AFA. Dake, meanwhile, finished fourth on the team with 22 singles victories, including a 15-11 dual match record. She also went 14-14 overall in doubles and 13-12 at the No. 1 position. In addition, Dake
won the singles championships and paired with Smoke to win the doubles title this past summer at the 2010 ITA Collegiate Summer Circuit event hosted by the Acdemy. Joining the team this season is freshman Anastasia Hueffner (Portland, Ore.). A product of Lincoln High School, she led her high school team to the state championship last season as a senior while holding a USTA National Ranking in singles and doubles for the last several years. Hueffner, ranked as high as No. 2 in Oregon and No. 3 in the Pacific Northwest Section, is expected to make a big impact in both the singles and doubles line-ups. The Falcons played four tournaments this past fall, including the annual USAFA Invitational. Air Force also travelled to Washington State, Harvard and Florida International. The spring campaign begins on Friday, Jan. 21 at home against the University of Colorado. Air Force will host 13 matches this spring, including Mountain West Conference matches against New Mexico (April 16) and TCU (April 17). The MWC Championships will begin on April 27 in Fort Collins, Colo.
Junior Tahlia Smoke
2010-11 Roster Name Sarah Cassman
Yr. Sr.
Hgt. 5-6
Hometown / Previous School Columbus, GA / Columbus HS
Melissa Cecil
So.
5-6
Huntington Beach, CA / Ocean View HS
Hannah Dake
So.
5-5
Excelsior, MN / Southwest Christian HS
Anastasia Hueffner
Fr.
5-7
Portland, OR / Lincoln HS
Christen Monreal
Sr.
5-5
San Antonio, TX / Roosevelt HS
Tahlia Smoke
Jr.
5-5
Belmar, NJ / Manasquan HS
Megumi Voight
Jr.
5-2
Alpharetta, GA / Centennial HS
Head Coach: Kim Gidley Assistant Coach: Nick Dargene Team Managers: Jasmine Leyro, Derek Sandeblom Team Trainer: DeAnne Zamora
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2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
MEET THE FALCONS
Sarah Cassman
Senior 5-6 Columbus, GA Columbus HS Environmental Engineering
Cassman’s Career Stats Year 2008 2009 2010 Totals
Dual 11-10 14-13 18-10 43-33
Singles Open 9-8 8-9 7-6 24-23
Overall 20-18 22-22 25-16 67-56
Dual 2-2 9-11 1-0 12-13
Doubles Open 4-8 3-10 3-8 10-26
Overall 6-10 12-21 4-8 22-39
2009-10 Season Finished third on the team with 25 overall singles wins first Falcon to win at least 20 singles matches three straight years since moving to Division I in 1996 tied for second on the team with 18 dual match victories (18-10 record) combined 15-7 record at the Nos. 5 and 6 spots won 13 of 14 matches during the middle part of the season posted a 4-4 record against MWC opponents, the best record since Laura Nigro went 4-3 in 2004 won the 2010 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association member of the MWC all-academic team for the third consecutive year. 2010 Fall Season Second on the team with seven singles victories tied for team lead with eight doubles wins advanced to the semifinals of her flight at the Washington Statre Cougar Classic. Personal Parents are Joel and June Cassman has two sisters, Noriko (24) and Eva (18) worked as a squadron athletics/logistics officer this past summer also took an English class would like to attend pilot training and become either an astronaut or engineer following her time at the Academy active in her squadron as the executive officer holds a blackbelt in Taekwando hobbies include reading and music also recruited by Georgia and Emory enjoys Asian, Mexican and Italian food favorite movie is Elf favorite book is Harry Potter favorite TV show is Family Guy person in history she would most like to meet is Aristotle greatest moment is sports was saving three match points then winning the No. 5 singles match against Montana State as a sophomore, giving Air Force a 4-3 victory credits her father with the biggest influence in her sports career member of cadet squadron 35. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis Bi-City Player of the Year as a senior and freshman three-time team MVP led team to region championship and state semifinals her senior campaign ranked 18th in the state of Georgia member of National Honor Society high school tennis coach was Brenda Smith.
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MEET THE FALCONS
Christen Monreal
Senior 5-5 San Antonio, TX Roosevelt HS Legal Studies
Monreal’s Career Stats Year 2008 2009 2010 Totals
Dual 13-10 15-12 11-13 39-35
Singles Open 8-8 7-11 7-6 22-25
Overall 21-18 22-23 18-19 61-60
Dual 3-7 15-11 16-10 34-28
Doubles Open 3-9 5-7 4-7 12-23
Overall 6-16 20-18 20-17 46-51
2009-10 Season Team MVP after posting 18 singles and 20 doubles victories played majority of her matches at the No. 1 singles spot, going 10-12 played four nationally ranked players won two MWC matches, the No. 1 matches against New Mexico and Colorado State played nine three-set matches, won six of them posted a 13-4 doubles record with Christine Molina, including an 11-3 mark at the No. 3 position played 11 doubles matches with Hannah Dake, three of them against nationally ranked teams. 2010 Fall Season Won five singles matches and combined with freshman Anastasia Hueffner to win six doubles matches went 3-1 in the top flight at the Washington State Cougar Classic. Personal Parents are Michael and Arlene Murphy would like to attend graduate school following her time at the Academy worked the USAFA Summer Seminar this past summer also worked Basic Cadet Training active in her squadron as the athletic officer also recruited by Syracuse, Seton Hall and North Texas favorite food is Chinese food favorite book is Interpreter of Maladies favorite TV show is family Guy credits her parents with the biggest influence in her sports career member of cadet squadron 12. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis 5A state semifinalist and regional champion as a senior selected to the San Antonio News Express “Super Team” as a senior did not lose a set in Region IV-5A tournament member of 5A allarea team as a junior Roosevelt HS Athlete of the Year as a senior high school tennis coach was Michael Green.
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2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
MEET THE FALCONS Junior 5-5 Belmar, NJ Manasquan HS Undecided
Tahlia Smoke
Smoke’s Career Stats Year 2009
Dual 4-1
Singles Open 8-10
2010
16-12
Totals
20-13
Doubles Open 7-10
Overall 12-11
Dual 0-4
Overall 7-14
5-0
21-12
4-8
1-1
5-9
13-10
33-23
4-12
8-11
12-23
2009-10 Season Became AFA’s first nationally ranked player in Division I era (1996) with a ranking of No. 102 during the fall when she went 5-0 in singles posted a 21-12 overall singles record and was 16-12 in dual matches won the “C” flight at the Cal State-Northridge Matador Invitational played from the No. 1 to No. 5 position in the spring majority of her matches were at the No. 2 spot played three regionally ranked and one nationally ranked player won two MWC matches, the No. 2 matches against New Mexico and Colorado State played doubles with five different teammates. 2010 Fall Season Posted four singles wins and paired with Melissa Cecil to go 8-6 in doubles the duo won both matches at the Florida International Panther Invitational. Personal Parents are Alan and Kim Smoke has two brothers, Jarrad (22) and Maclane (16) and one sister, Farrah (18) her brother Jarrad is a 2010 graduate of Navy and played tennis for the Midshipmen completed Operation Air Force at Ramstein AB, Germany this past summer also worked Basic Cadet Training active in her squadron as the operations NCO (non-commissioned officer) hobby is surfing favorite food is sushi favorite book is Tuesdays with Morrie favorite TV show is Glee favorite movie is Inception person in history she would most like to meet is Albert Einstein greatest moment in sports was winning her match against Colorado State last year that clinched the victory over the Rams credits her parents with the biggest influence on his sports career member of cadet squadron 14. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis won New Jersey state singles championship as a senior posted a perfect 30-0 record finished her high school career with a 110-10 record became first-ever state singles champion from her high school first-team all-state as a senior two-time second-team all-state selection led team to three sectional championships high school tennis coach was Rodney Ravaioli.
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9
MEET THE FALCONS Junior 5-2 Alpharetta, GA Centennial HS Undecided
Megumi Voight
Voight’s Career Stats Year 2009
Dual 0-0
2010
DNP
Totals
0-0
Singles Open 2-5 2-5
Overall 2-5
Dual 0-0
Doubles Open 0-0
2-5
0-0
0-0
Overall 0-0 0-0
2009-10 Season Did not play a varsity match. 2010 Fall Season Led team with eight singles victories won her flight at the USAFA Invitational went 8-6 in doubles with Sarah Cassman they were a perfect 30 at the Florida International Panther Invitational named AFA’s Athlete of the Week. Personal Parents are Richard and Naoko Voight in foreign area studies completed a four-week language immersion program in Japan last summer she lived with a host family in Wakayama, Japan and took classes for four hours each day also completed Operation Air Force at Altus AFB, Okla., working closely with the base’s public affairs office, and worked Basic Cadet Training would like to be a U.S. Ambassador to Japan or a trauma surgeon in the future active in her squadron as the group security NCO (non-commissioned officer) her great-grandfather was the mayor of Tahara, Japan also recruited by UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Yale, Princeton and Harvard hobbies include any aquatic activity and photography favorite food is cheese dip with jalapenos favorite book is Anything favorite movie is Across the Universe person in history she would most like to meet is Arthur Ashe credits her parents with the biggest influence on his sports career member of cadet squadron 30. Before Air Force Lettered one year in tennis at Centennial HS named team MVP as a freshman ranked 18th in the state of Georgia last year member of National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society high school tennis coach was Brendan Zackey.
10
2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
MEET THE FALCONS
Melissa Cecil
Sophomore 5-6 Huntington Beach, CA Ocean View HS Undecided
Cecil’s Career Stats Year
Dual
Singles Open
Overall
Dual
Doubles Open
Overall
2010
19-6
9-6
28-12
13-13
3-5
16-18
2009-10 Season Led the team with 28 singles wins, the most by a Falcon in the Division I era (1996) and since Laura Simmons won 31 matches during the 1993-94 season finished with a 28-12 overall record named the MWC Player of the Week and the USAFA Athlete of the Week in January team-high 19 dual match wins (19-6 record) won 17 of 19 matches at one point played from No. 2 to No. 6 position, had winning record at all five spots, including 4-1 mark at No. 2 posted a 4-4 record against MWC opponents, the best record since Laura Nigro went 4-3 in 2004 finished third in the No. 2 flight at the USAFA Invitational won 16 doubles matches and went 13-13 in dual matches paired with fellow freshman Hannah Dake to go 10-4 at the No. 1 spot. 2010 Fall Season Posted an 8-6 dobles record with Tahlia Smoke they won both matches at the Florida International Panther Invitational played three singles matches. Personal Parents are Jeff and Anh Cecil has one sister, Katie (16) completed Combat Survival Training this past summer also completed Global Engagement and the Soaring program would like to attend pilot training following her time at the Academy also recruited by UC Riverside and Denver active in her squadron as the element NCO (non-commissioned officer) hobbies include reading and taking naps favorite food is pizza favorite book is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire person in history she would most like to meet is Arthur Ashe credits her family with the biggest influence on his sports career member of cadet squadron 21. Before Air Force Three-year letterwinner in tennis two-time league champion in doubles (2007 & 2008) won singles league championship in 2005 led team to two league championships ranked No. 52 in Southern California Section and No. 182 nationally for 18-and-under ranked No. 74 by tennisrecruiting.net for girls 18-and-under high school tennis coach was David Deaton.
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11
MEET THE FALCONS
Hannah Dake
Sophomore 5-5 Excelsior, MN Southwest Christian HS Undecided
Dake’s Career Stats Year
Dual
Singles Open
Overall
Dual
Doubles Open
Overall
2010
15-11
7-7
22-18
15-14
3-8
18-22
2009-10 Season Finished fourth on the team with 22 singles victories posted a 15-11 mark in dual matches, including a 10-10 record at the No. 3 spot also went 3-1 at No. 2 and 2-0 at No. 4 finished third in the No. 6 flight at the USAFA Invitational went 18-22 overall in doubles and 13-12 at the No. 1 position had a 10-4 mark with Melissa Cecil at the top spot. 2010 Fall Season Did not play during the fall season. Personal Parents are Scott and Joanne Dake has one older sister, Alanna planning to major in history would like to become a chaplain or counselor in the future also recruited by Army and Northern Illinois hobbies include ping-pong and bowling favorite food is sushi favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls favorite movie is Rocky II favorite book is The Bible person in history she would most like to meet is C.S. Lewis greatest moment in sports was placing fifth at a national tennis tournament credits her family and personal coach, Felicia Tebon, with the biggest influence on his sports career member of cadet squadron 20. Before Air Force Ranked in the top two for her age group in the USTA Northwest Section since she was 12 ranked in the top 80 nationally in 16-and-under age group and around 100 nationally as an 18-and-under player high school did not offer tennis.
12
2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
MEET THE FALCONS
Anastasia Hueffner
Freshman 5-7 Portland, OR Lincoln HS Undecided
2010 Fall Season Won six singles matches and paired with senior Christen Monreal to win six doubles matches they advanced to the finals of their flight at the Washington State Cougar Classic went 4-1 in singles play at the tournament. Personal Parents are Bill and Marina Hueffner has two twin sisters, Allie and Kadie (15) nickname is “Tasha” also recruited by Army, navy, Iowa State and Drake hobbies include golfing and hanging out with her friends favorite food is ice cream favorite TV show is That 70s Show favorite movie is mean Girls favorite book is Flowers for Algernon person in history she would most like to meet is herself when she was little greatest moment in sports was getting to the consolation finals of an ATP tournament credits her father with the biggest influence on his sports career member of cadet squadron 30. Before Air Force Four-year letterwinner in tennis led her high school team to the state championship as a senior three-time district doubles champion two-time state runner-up in doubles finished second in district for singles as a freshman ranked No. 2 in Oregon and No. 3 in the Pacific Northwest Section ranked 13th in the country in doubles in the girls’ 14 and under age group placed second twice in national doubles tournaments high school tennis coach was Sue Basham.
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13
DIVISION II HISTORY National Champions 1989 Layla DeStaffany and Susan Wheeler (Doubles)
1991 Laura Simmons (Singles)
Laura Simmons with head coach Bob Swanson after the 1991 NCAA Tournament
DeStaffany (left) and Wheeler after winning the 1989 NCAA Division II Doubles Championship
All-Conference
All-Americans Layla DeStaffany 1988 Doubles 1989 Doubles
Monica Davis 1989 Singles
Amanda Krantz 1993 Doubles
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Colorado Athletic Conference
Susan Wheeler
1988 Singles and Doubles 1989 Singles and Doubles
Laura Simmons
1991 Singles 1992 Singles 1993 Singles and Doubles 1994 Singles and Doubles
1991 Laura Simmons Jessica Talberg D’Ron Longino Kim Schroeder Gwen Summers
1993 Laura Simmons Kim Schroeder Christine Rilovick
Christine Rilovick 1994 Doubles
2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
DIVISION I HISTORY Division I Highlights 1998-99 - Junior NADINE LYNN defeats No. 72 Nadine Kenzlemen of Colorado, the first Top 75 win for a USAFA singles player. 1999-2000 - A 5-2 victory over No. 83 Utah at the MWC Tournament is the team’s first Division I Conference win. 2000-01 - Senior KRISTEL CHUNTRARUK splits sets with the 1999 NCAA Div. I Singles Champion and No. 1 player in the nation, Zuzeana Lesenarova of the University of San Diego. - Junior BROOKE PARSONS defeats No. 73 Anneliese Rose (Florida Int’l) and No. 106 Sanja Hanson (Colorado State). 2001-02 - Senior BROOKE PARSONS defeats No. 41 Paulina Janus (UNLV), No. 46 Irina Tereschenko (Texas Tech), No. 58 Becky Varnum (Notre Dame), No. 76 Yanick Dullens (Denver), No. 96 Lindsey Hedberg (San Diego State) and No. 106 Kristen Stubbs (Virginia Tech). - PARSONS posts the best record in the Mountain West Conference at No. 1 singles (6-1). - PARSONS becomes first USAFA player to participate in the Riviera All - American, also invited in doubles with partner LAURA NIGRO. - Doubles team of PARSONS & NIGRO defeats the No. 1 doubles team from No. 13 Notre Dame, No. 15 UNLV, No. 22 San Diego State, No. 38 BYU, No. 44 Southern Methodist, No. 64 Richmond and No. 75 Virginia Tech. - USAFA posts its first wins over nationally ranked teams - No. 44 Southern Methodist and No. 57 Texas Tech. - First time in USAFA history that a singles player (PARSONS #11), a doubles team (PARSONS/NIGRO #13) and the team (#13) receive a Central Regional Ranking.
2002-03 - Junior LAURA NIGRO defeats No. 46 Irina Tereshenko (Texas Tech), No. 50 Renate Stoop (Boise State), No. 82 Sandy Lukowski (New Mexico) and No. 138 Annette Bryntesson (Oklahoma State). - Senior HEATHER SHELBY defeats No. 72 Gyorgyi Zsiros (UNLV) and No. 76 Yanick Dullens (Denver). - USAFA defeats nationally ranked Texas Tech (No. 61).
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2003-04 - Senior LAURA NIGRO defeats No. 72 Gyorgyi Zsiros (UNLV) and No. 81 Dita Haverlandova (San Diego State). - NIGRO is invited to play in the Riviera All- American, along with doubles partner, GINA BLACK. - NIGRO & BLACK defeat the NCAA doubles semi-finalists of 2003 (Missouri) and 2004 (New Mexico). 2004-05 - Junior KAT BUSHEY wins the MWC Sportsmanship Award. 2005-06 - Senior KAT BUSHEY and freshman CHRISTINE ABAYAN upset the No. 1 doubles seed and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Central Region Tourney - Beat two nationally ranked teams from BYU and set a new school record with 29 wins. 2006-07 - Senior KELLY MORGAN wins 24 overall singles matches, the most by a Falcon since Gina Black won 26 during the 2002-03 campaign. 2007-08 - Freshmen CHRISTEN MONREAL (21) and SARAH CASSMAN (20) became the first pair of freshmen to win 20 overall singles matches in the same season since Air Force moved to Division I. 2008-09 - USAFA won the doubles point vs. nationally ranked #21 TCU and # 57 Texas Tech. 2009-10 - USAFA finished the 2009-10 season with a 16-12 record, the best since Gidley’s initial season in 1998-99 when they went 20-10. Gidley also led Air Force to two MWC victories, the most in a season since ‘03. - Freshman MELISSA CECIL posted 28 overall singles victories, the most by a Falcon in the Division I era and the most since Laura Simmons won 31 matches during the 1993-94 season. - Five Falcons won at least 20 overall singles matches in one season for the first time in program history. - Junior SARAH CASSMAN became the first Falcon to win at least 20 overall singles matches in three consecutive seasons since moving to Division I. - Sophomore TAHLIA SMOKE became USAFA’s first female tennis player to acheive a Division I national ranking at #102. - USAFA posted its first-ever shutout over a Mountain West opponent, defeating New Mexico 7-0.
All-Conference Brooke Parsons 2002 Singles/Doubles 2001 Singles
Laura Nigro 2004 Singles/Doubles 2003 Singles/Doubles 2002 Doubles
Gina Black 2004 Doubles 2003 Doubles
Kat Bushey 2006 Singles
Most Valuable Players Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Name 1980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Cooper 1981 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gail Cooper 1982 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chris Duffy 1983 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Emily Reghy 1984 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rita Lane 1985 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tamaron Sharp 1986 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tricia Heller 1987 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tricia Heller 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Susan Wheeler 1989 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Layla DeStaffany 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Leslie Skinner 1991 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Simmons 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Simmons 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Simmons 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Simmons 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amanda Krantz 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Misty Holder 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Misty Holder 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nadine Lynn 1999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kacy Mitchell 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brooke Parsons 2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brooke Parsons 2002 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brooke Parsons 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Nigro 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Nigro 2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kat Bushey 2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kat Bushey 2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kelly Morgan 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lauren Wilson 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christine Abayan 2010 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Christen Monreal
15
COACHING RECORDS Year 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Total:
W 4 8 8 4 12 21 16 17 15 11 12 16 21 15 22 17 12 15 15 20 15 12 20 14 13 15 15 13 8 9 10 6 10 16 406
L 9 4 3 3 11 9 13 11 9 10 5 8 9 12 6 5 16 11 6 8 10 15 10 9 16 12 13 14 18 18 16 21 17 12 311
Pct. .310 .667 .730 .570 .520 .700 .550 .610 .630 .520 .710 .670 .700 .556 .786 .773 .429 .577 .714 .714 .600 .444 .667 .560 .448 .556 .536 .481 .308 .333 .385 .222 .370 .571 .566
Coach Capt. Jack Davis (4-9, .310) Capt. Charles Patton (8-4, .667) Capt. George Fritts (8-3, .730) Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan Capt. Mike McClellan (53-36, .596) Capt. Bill Allen Capt. Bill Allen (32-20, .615) Capt. Luvon Fowler Capt. Luvon Fowler Capt. Luvon Fowler Maj. Luvon Fowler Maj. Luvon Fowler (75-44, .630) Capt. Bob Swanson Capt. Bob Swanson Maj. Bob Swanson Maj. Bob Swanson (66-38, .635) Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green Capt. Kim Green (62-39, .614) Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley Kim Gidley (149-176, .458)
Captain(s) Lisa Brightbill Lisa Brightbill Donna Lundquist Julie Grimmig Gail Cooper Gail Cooper Emily Reghy Ruth Denison, Rita Lane Tamaron Sharp Sara Beth Riddlehoover Tricia Heller Teri Cave Tatiana Stead, Layla DeStaffany Leslie Skinner D'Ron Longino, Jessica Talberg D'Ron Longino Laurel Scherer, Kim Schroeder Laura Simmons, Christine Rilovick Amanda Krantz Misty Holder Misty Holder Christel Helquist Julie Weiss Julie Weiss Kristel Chuntraruk, Brooke Parsons Brooke Parsons Heather Shelby Laura Nigro, Gina Black Katie Tomkie, Kat Bushey Kat Bushey Kelly Morgan Lauren Wilson, Erika Shortridge Christine Abayan Erlyn Rudico
Best Career Winning Pct. Career Coaching Records -Name Kim Gidley Kim Green Bob Swanson Luvon Fowler Bill Allen Mike McClellan George Fritts Charles Patton Jack Davis
Years 1998-present (12) 1995-98 (4) 1991-94 (4) 1986-90 (5) 1984-85 (2) 1980-83 (4) 1979 (1) 1978 (1) 1977 (1)
Wins 149 62 66 75 32 53 8 8 4
Losses 176 39 38 44 20 36 3 4 9
Pct. .458 .614 .635 .630 .615 .596 .730 .667 .310
# 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Name (Yrs) Bob Swanson (4) Luvon Fowler (5) Bill Allen (2) Kim Green (4) Mike McClellan (4) Kim Gidley (12)
Pct. .635 .630 .615 .614 .596 .458
Must have coached at least two seasons.
Most Career Wins
Jack Davis
Charles Patton
George Fritts
Mike McClellan
Bill Allen
Luvon Fowler
Bob Swanson
Kim Green
16
# 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Name (Yrs) Kim Gidley (12) Luvon Fowler (5) Bob Swanson (4) Kim Green (4) Mike McClellan (4) Bill Allen (2) George Fritts (1) Charles Patton (1) 9. Jack Davis (1)
Wins 149 75 66 62 53 32 8 8 4
2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
ACADEMIC/SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS Academic All-Conference Mountain West Conference (Div. I) 2010 Sarah Cassman Christine Molina 2009
Erlyn Rudico Sarah Cassman Shannon Young
2008
Erlyn Rudico Sarah Cassman
2007
Erlyn Rudico Karissa Walker
2006
Kat Bushey
2005
Kat Bushey Karissa Walker
2004
Kat Bushey Liza Vaccaro Karissa Walker
2003
Kat Bushey Kelli O’Bryant Heather Shelby
2002
Kelli O’Bryant Brooke Parsons Heather Shelby
2001
Kelli O’Bryant Heather Shelby
2000
Mae Li-Amick Susan Doyle Kelli O’Bryant
Cassman
Molina
Bushey
Shelby
Parsons
Amick
Doyle
Mitchell
Western Athletic Conference (Div. I) 1999 Kacy Mitchell
Academic All-American GTE Academic All-America Team 1991 D’Ron Longino (Third Team) Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete 2009 Shannon Young 2008 Erlyn Rudico 2007 Karissa Walker and Jennifer Walters 2004 Karissa Walker 2003 Kelli O’Bryant
O’Bryant
Walker
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Rudico
Brooke Parsons won the 2002 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The award is presented to the individual who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis.
Laura Nigro was the recipient of the 2003 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The award goes to a player who has exhibited outstanding leadership and sportsmanship as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
Kat Bushey won the 2006 Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award for the Central Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The award is presented to the individual who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis.
Sarah Cassman was the recipient of the 2010 Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the Mountain Region, presented by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. The award goes to the player who has exhibited outstanding leadership and sportsmanship as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
17
SPORTS MEDICINE The Sports Medicine Division is one of the newest and most important divisions in the athletic department. Headed up by Lt. Col. Gerald McGinty, the division is split into three major areas. They are the human performance lab, strength and conditioning and the athletic training rooms. The human performance lab develops team and individual performance improvement. Educational workshops to coaches and athletes which results in consistent high performances and outstanding performances for all the athletic programs at the Academy. The sports vision branch attempts to improve a player’s focus and concentration. Al Wile heads the branch which helps players work on certain visual aspects of the game. Although critics argue that you can’t improve a player’s sight, these skills improve a player’s ability to focus on the task at hand. The Academy’s women’s tennis team has benefited greatly from this specialized training. Buck Blackwood, who was recently named head strength and conditioning coach,
HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB Athletes are taught at a very young age to take care of their body. Lift weights, run, eat healthy and the list goes on and on and on. But two very important pieces of the athletic puzzle are often left out.
has been at the Academy since 2003.
The mind and the eyes.
Blackwood, along with assistant strength and
Not at the Air Force Academy.
conditioning coach Lt. Julie Rubino, and the staff make up computerized programs for athletes which tell them how much weight to lift, how many repetitions and when to increase in weight. Each sport at the Academy has its own lifting program. The athletic training department, under the direction of head athletic trainer Tony Peck, focuses on injury prevention, rehabilitation and on- and off-season workouts. Peck, along with women’s tennis trainer DeAnne Zamora assist athletes with prevention by taping, bracing and completing thorough screening processes to help discover past injuries. The staff also assists with the on- and off-season workouts. Athletes have the luxury of having a fully-equipped athletic training room in both the Cadet Field House and the Cadet Gym. The athletic training room staff consists of 13 certified athletic trainers.
18
Not at an institution where athletes compete at a very high level and rarely have the size and speed of athletes at other universities. This is where the Academy’s human performance lab can give athletes an advantage. The human performance lab in the athletic department falls under the direction of Lt. Col. Gerald McGinty and is headed by Lt. Col. Mike Zupan. Zupan, along with human performance coach Al Wile, operate one of the most sophisticated labs in the country and offer all its services to intercollegiate athletic programs. The lab conducts over 3,000 individual performance assessments annually and provides sports vision training to 17 major varsity sports. The lab’s database contains assessments of over 1,500 athletes, with the capabilities of providing coaches the chronological tracking progress annually of each one of his/her athletes. Body composition assessment using the “gold standard” hydrostatic testing (submerging underwater) method continues to be one of the most popular condition factors most coaches are utilizing. Many coaches
utilize upper and lower Wingate testing to determine anaerobic power thresholds, a simple 30-second test of pedaling an ergometer on a predetermined load based on 50% of body weight for arms and 80% body weight for legs. Aerobic testing is accomplished utilizing a SensorMedics cardiopulmonary VO2 max assessment system with treadmill. The lab has recently purchased a Peak Performance biomechanics assessment system with infrared cameras to conduct body motion analysis. Other lab assessments include blood lactate testing, strength assessments and flexibility assessments. The lab has become the pioneer program in the country in the area of sports vision. This program is directed by sports vision coach Al Wile, who has been working with athletes at the Academy since 1980. The women’s tennis team has greatly benefited from the program. Other teams highly involved with the sports vision training include football, baseball, water polo, gymnastics, diving, hockey, lacrosse, fencing and soccer. Wile and his staff believe that vision training is where weight training was 15 years ago, as evidenced by the interest in the Academy program from world-class athletes, Olympic athletes, professional athletes and other intercollegiate programs throughout the country.
2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE
MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE From its inception in 1999, the Mountain West Conference has been committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics, while promoting the academic missions of its member institutions. Progressive in its approach, the MWC continues to cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level, while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship. Now in its ninth year, the MWC has been assertive in its involvement with the NCAA governance structure and has taken a leadership role in the overall administration of intercollegiate athletics. The Mountain West Conference is noted for its geographic diversity. Some of the most beautiful terrain and landscapes in the nation can be found within Mountain West Conference boundaries, including the majestic Rocky Mountain range, which borders four MWC schools (Utah, BYU, Air Force and Colorado State). The high plains of Wyoming (elevation 7,220 feet - the highest Division I campus in the nation) contrast with the desert city of Las Vegas (the fastest growing metropolitan area in the West) and the Pacific Ocean locale of San Diego State. The southwestern flavor of New Mexico complements the western heritage and culture of Fort Worth, Texas, home of the MWC's newest member, TCU.
HISTORY The Mountain West Conference was conceived on May 26, 1998, when the presidents of eight institutions -- Air Force, BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah and Wyoming -- decided to form a new NCAA Division I-A intercollegiate athletic conference. The split from the former 16-team conference re-established continuity and stability among the membership within the new league and signaled the continuation of its tradition-rich, long-standing athletic rivalries. Five of the MWC's eight original members have been conference rivals since the 1960s (BYU, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Colorado State), while San Diego State (1978) and Air Force (1980) were longtime members as well. UNLV entered the fold in 1996 and TCU began its first year of competition in 2005-06, completing the membership in the MWC as it stands today. When the MWC officially began operations on July 1, 1999, the new league had in place a sevenyear contract with ESPN, giving the broadcaster exclusive national television rights to MWC football and men's basketball, and three-year agreements to send the league's football champion to the Liberty Bowl and a second team to the Las Vegas Bowl. Commissioner Craig Thompson also arranged a third bowl tie-in each of the first three years (1999 Motor City, 2000 Silicon Valley, 2001 New Orleans) before securing a four-year deal with the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco in 2002. An innovator in the postseason bowl structure, the MWC engineered many "firsts," as league teams have participated in five inaugural bowl games (2000 Silicon Valley, 2001 New Orleans, 2002 San Francisco (Emerald), 2005 Poinsettia, 2006 New Mexico), as well as placing the first non-automatic-qualifying BCS team into a BCS bowl game with Utah's appearance in the 2005 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
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EXPOSURE On Aug. 26, 2004, College Sports Television (CSTV) and the Mountain West Conference announced a visionary partnership that revolutionized the college sports landscape. The landmark agreement was the first NCAA Division I football and men's basketball conference-wide deal for CSTV. The advent of the new television model gives the fastest-growing independent cable network exclusive rights to all Conference events, including cable and satellite television coverage, national over-the-air and satellite radio, video-on-demand and online broadcast rights. The CSTV/MWC partnership has guaranteed greater levels of television exposure for all MWC sports and has resoundingly met the fundamental goals of more exposure, preferred start times and competition on select days of the week. A succession of events since the fall of 2004 have improved the new television model, including the CBS purchase of CSTV, and the merger with Comcast to create The Mtn. - MountainWest Sports Network. The relationship with Comcast also delivered a new national broadcast partner in VERSUS. The MWC was the first exclusive college programming provider for the Comcast-owned entity, with football and both men's and women's basketball games. In the summer of 2006, the centerpiece of this historic relationship was realized with the launch of The Mtn. - the first sports network dedicated to serving a single collegiate athletic conference 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The Mtn. provides sports fans blanket coverage of MWC athletics across multiple sports, including football, men's and women's basketball, and men's and women's Olympic sports. The Mtn. features more than just live games and has added its own original programming. Fans get a comprehensive array of news, features and analysis about their favorite MWC teams and players. In 2006-07, more than 250 MWC events were shown live on The Mtn., CSTV and VERSUS. CSTV is currently available in over 65 million homes, while VERSUS is in more than 72 million households. With a "fans first" focus, each television partner ensures MWC constituents see more MWC sports at more convenient times and in more media platforms than ever before. The MWC has remained steadfast in its mission to promote the league's athletic events to national and regional television audiences and will continue to grow its new TV model. Previously, ESPN served as the league's inaugural official television partner, while in-house productions guaranteed coverage for several MWC Olympic sports. Through the league's first eight years, excluding institutional local packages, 982 football, volleyball, men's basketball and women's basketball events have aired on television, with 159 football games and over 132 men's basketball contests broadcast nationally. The MWC is the only conference to have televised all contests from its volleyball and women's basketball championships six of the past seven years, while baseball, softball and women's soccer have had selected games from their respective championships televised in that span.
2009-10 MWC Women’s Tennis Review Final Standings Team (Overall) Utah (17-8) UNLV (22-5) Wyoming (14-8) BYU (9-13) San Diego St. (15-11) TCU (10-17) Air Force (16-12) Colorado St. (8-15) New Mexico (1-20)
Conference W L Pct. 8 0 1.000 7 1 .875 5 3 .625 5 3 .625 4 4 .500 4 4 .500 2 6 .250 1 7 .125 0 8 .000
2010 MWC Championships @ Las Vegas, NV
Wednesday, April 28 #8 Colorado State 5, #9 New Mexico 2
Thursday, April 29 #1 Utah 4, #8 Colorado State 0 #2 UNLV 4, #7 Air Force 0 #6 TCU 4, #3 Wyoming 3 #5 San Diego State 4, #4 BYU 2
Friday, April 30 #5 San Diego State 4, #1 Utah 1 #6 TCU 4, #2 UNLV 3
Saturday, May 1 #6 TCU 4, #5 San Diego State 3
The Air Force Academy hosted the MWC Tennis Championships for the first time ever in 2007. The Academy will host the tournament again in 2014.
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FALCON FUN
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THE USAFA The United States Air Force Academy offers a fouryear program of instruction and experience designed to educate, train and inspire men and women to become officers of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation. Each cadet graduates with a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. COURSE OF STUDY Cadets are exposed to a balanced curriculum that provides the knowledge, skills and responsibilities essential to a career Air Force officer. The entire USAFA experience is integrated and mapped to achieve a set of desired outcomes in every graduate. The core academic curriculum includes courses in basic sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities. Cadets take additional elective courses to complete requirements for one of 32 major areas of study. About 50 percent of the cadets complete majors in science and engineering; the remainder graduate in the social sciences and humanities. Some of the most popular majors include management, aeronautical engineering, foreign area studies, history, behavioral science, civil engineering, astronautical engineering, electrical engineering and engineering mechanics.
FACULTY COMPOSITION The majority of the Academy's faculty members, more than 500 total, are Air Force officers. They are selected primarily from career-officer volunteers who have established outstanding records of performance and dedication. Each has at least a master's degree and more than 55 percent have doctorates or other terminal degrees in their field of study. About 30 percent of the faculty are civilians who bring great depth of disciplinary and educational expertise and provide academic stability and continuity. Faculty members are intensely focused on cadet learning as an integral part of their officer development. The Air Force Academy has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the most accessible and involved faculty for four years in a row. To provide greater contributions by a diverse faculty, the Academy has several distinguished visiting professors and endowed professors who serve one or more years. Officers from other services, as well as officers from allied countries are also members of the faculty. Distinguished civilian and military lecturers also share their expertise with the cadets during the academic year.
ATHLETIC PROGRAM The Academy's athletic program is designed to improve physical fitness, teach athletic skills and develop leadership qualities. To achieve its goals, the Academy offers some of the most extensive physical education, intramural sports and intercollegiate athletic programs in the nation. Cadets take at least three different physical education courses each year.
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MILITARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING An air, space and cyberspace-oriented military education, training and leadership program begins with basic cadet training and continues throughout the four years. Seniors are responsible for the organizational leadership of the cadet wing, while juniors and sophomores seek to develop team and interpersonal leadership and instructional skills. Cadets are projected into as many active leadership roles as possible to prepare them to be effective Air Force officers. Fundamental concepts of military organization -- drill, ethics, honor, Air Force heritage and physical training -are emphasized the first summer during basic cadet training. Freshmen then study the military role in United States society as well as the mission and organization of the Air Force. Sophomores receive instruction in communication skills and juniors study the combat and operational aspects of the Air Force. The Academy offers courses in flying, navigation, soaring and parachuting, building from basic skills to instructor duties. Some cadets may fly light aircraft with the Cadet Flying Team. Summer training for cadets is divided into three, three-week training periods. There are a variety of programs available and each cadet is required to complete two training periods each summer with leave during the other period. All new cadets take six weeks of basic cadet training in their first summer. Combat survival training is a required threeweek program during cadets' second summer. For other second-summer training periods, cadets have options such as working with Airmen in an operational unit at an Air Force installation, airborne parachute training, soaring or basic free-fall parachute training. During their last two summers, all cadets are offered leadership training as supervisors or instructors in the summer programs listed above. Extracurricular activities also are an integral part of the education program. The cadet ski club, drum and bugle corps, cadet chorale and forensics are a few of the programs available.
NOMINATIONS Nominations to the Academy may be obtained through a congressional sponsor or by meeting eligibility criteria in other categories of competition established by law. For information on admission procedures, write to HQ USAFA/RRS; 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840-5025.
www.usafa.edu
HISTORY OF THE ACADEMY In 1948, a board of leading civilian and military educators was appointed to plan the curriculum for an academy that would meet the needs of the newly established Air Force. The board determined that Air Force requirements could not be met by expanding the other service academies and recommended an Air Force Academy be established without delay. In 1949, then Secretary of the Air Force W. Stuart Symington appointed a commission to assist in selecting a site and on April 1, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized creation of the United States Air Force Academy. After considering 580 sites in 45 states, the commission narrowed the choice to three locations. The summer of 1954, Secretary of the Air Force Harold Talbott selected a site near Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado contributed $1 million toward purchase of the property. In July 1955, the first Academy class entered interim facilities at Lowry Air Force Base, Denver, while construction began. It was sufficiently completed for occupancy by the cadet wing in late August 1958. Initial construction cost was $142 million. Women entered the Academy on June 28, 1976, as members of the class of 1980.
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SENIOR LEADERSHIP Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould Lt. Gen. Michael C. Gould is Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He directs a four-year academic, military training, athletic and character development program leading to a bachelor’s degree and commission as an Air Force officer. The general is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Class of 1976. His career encompasses a wide range of assignments, ranging from head football coach of the Air Force Academy Preparatory School, to serving as Air Force aide to the President of the United States. He has held numerous command positions at the group, wing and numbered air force level, and was commander of Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center during 9/11. Prior to his return to the Academy, he was Director of Operations and Plans, U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. General Gould is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the T-38, T-41, KC-10, C-5, C-17, C-21, C-141 and KC-135R. The general’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Vice Superintendent Colonel Tamara Rank
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Commandant of Cadets Brig. General Richard M. Clark
Dean of Faculty Brig. General Dana H. Born
Commander, 10th Air Base Wing Col. Rick J. LoCastro
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DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Dr. Hans J. Mueh and made the department more effective from top to bottom. In addition, he has the department on course to become a federally chartered non-profit organization which will lead to more fund-raising opportunities. Mueh was instrumental in the USAFA Endowment and the announcement of an Indoor Training Facility that broke ground in the summer of 2010. The $15 million facility will be completed in early 2011.
Dr. Hans J. Mueh is in his seventh year as the director of athletics at the Air Force Academy. A retired Air Force brigadier general, Mueh was vice dean of faculty for two years prior to his retirement from active duty in the summer of 2004. Mueh was heavily involved in Academy athletics before becoming director of athletics. He was the Academy's faculty athletics representative from 1996-2004 and was a long-time member of the board of directors for the Air Force Academy Athletics Association. Since becoming the director of athletics, Mueh has led the Academy to some remarkable feats. In 2007, the Academy was one of only three schools (Michigan State and Boston College) to reach post-season play in football (2007), men’s basketball and ice hockey (2006-07). It marked the first time a service academy has ever had a team compete in the post-season in all three sports. In addition, under Mueh’s watch the men’s basketball team has played in an NCAA tournament and the National Invitational Tournament’s Final Four. The ice hockey team won three straight conference championships and made three straight appearances in the NCAA tournament. Mueh was on the selection committee that hired current head coach Frank Serratore and led the Academy’s move into the Athletic Hockey Association. The football program, the Academy’s flagship sport, has gone through a major overhaul under Mueh. He led the transition from the retirement of the legendary Fisher DeBerry after 23 years at the helm to hiring current head coach Troy Calhoun, a 1989 Academy graduate. Calhoun’s impact was immediate, leading the Falcons to a 9-4 overall mark and a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference in 2007. The Falcons qualified for their first bowl game in five years, playing in the Armed Forces Bowl in 2007. The program has posted back-to-back eight-win seasons and qualified for bowl games since, marking the first time since 1990-92 Air Force has been to a bowl three straight years. Mueh has been just as successful behind the scenes with the administration of the department. Mueh restructured the department with an internal/external model that has streamlined resources
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Mueh has also been active within the conference and the NCAA. He was recently selected to be part of the NCAA Division I Amateurism Cabinet and has been active on the NCAA’s academics/eligibility compliance cabinet, the men’s golf committee and the region 7 postgraduate scholarship committee. Mueh has been equally active within the conference on various leadership committees. He is currently on the awards and recognition committee and has previously served on the joint council executive committee, and committees on championships, television and sportsmanship. Before assuming his duties as vice dean at the Academy, Mueh was permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry at the Academy, a position he held since October 1987 where he oversaw the annual design and instruction of 25 undergraduate courses for 1,500 cadets annually. Mueh was born Jan. 8, 1944, in Celle, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1951. He entered the Air Force in 1962 as a member of the Academy's eighth graduating class, and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry in 1966. While at the Academy, Mueh was a two-year letterwinner in soccer as a goalie. He still holds the Academy record for saves in a game with 30, accomplishing it twice in 1965 against North Carolina and Benedictine. In his junior and senior years, Mueh helped the Falcons to the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Soccer League championship and quarterfinal berths in the NCAA tournament. He was a first-team all-league selection in 1965.
Following graduation, Mueh completed two assignments in intelligence before attending the University of Wisconsin where he earned his master's degree in chemistry in 1970. He later earned a doctorate degree in chemistry from Wisconsin in 1976 as a distinguished graduate. He has also completed Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. Between earning the two degrees, Mueh returned to the Academy as an instructor in the department of chemistry from 1970-72. He also served as assistant soccer coach and played semipro soccer with the Aurora Internationals in Denver during those two years, leading the Internationals to the Colorado state title in 1971. He volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as an intelligence officer in Saigon, Republic of Vietnam and at Nakhon Phanom RTAB, Thailand, in 1972 and 1973. After earning his doctorate degree, Mueh returned to the Academy in 1976 as an associate professor of chemistry. He remained at the Academy except for a stint in 1985-86 as the special assistant for technical matters at the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon. In 1986, he assumed the position of acting head, department of chemistry, before being selected for his position of permanent professor and head of the department of chemistry in 1987. As faculty athletics representative, he was active in both the Western Athletic Conference and Mountain West Conference, and was the Academy's representative on the transition team to form the new MWC, the only faculty athletics representative on the team. He competes in golf, racquetball, handball and tennis, and has promoted Air Force Academy intercollegiate sports throughout his tenure, beginning with work as chairman of the hockey eligibility committee, officer representative to the men's golf team and five years as the officer representative to the football team. Mueh is married to the former Sally Flax of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have three children: Kristine, Kurt and Deborah.
Director of Athletics Dr. Hans Mueh is in his seventh season as the Director of Athletics at the Air Force Academy. Mueh, a 1966 graduate of the Academy, was a two-year letterwinner on the men’s soccer team and still holds the school record for most saves in one game with 30. He set the record on Oct. 1, 1965 against North Carolina, then matched it the following game against Benedictine.
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AIR FORCE ATHLETICS Few schools in the country have an athletic program as extensive as the Air Force Academy's. The goals of the athletic program are to enhance the physical conditioning of all cadets, to develop the physical skills necessary for officership, to teach leadership in a competitive environment and to build character. There are three subdivisions of the athletic program: intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and physical education. The intercollegiate program has 17 men's and 10 women's NCAA-sanctioned teams, facing some of the top competition in the nation. Men’s teams are football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, cross-country, fencing, golf, gymnastics, indoor and outdoor track, lacrosse, rifle, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, water polo and wrestling. The Academy fields women's teams in basketball, cross-country, fencing, gymnastics, rifle, indoor and outdoor track, swimming and diving, soccer, tennis and volleyball. In addition, the Academy against non-conference opponents, including many nationally-ranked teams.
sponsors two non-NCAA programs; boxing and cheerleading. The majority of the Academy’s men’s and women’s programs compete at
The football team competes annually for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy,
the NCAA Division I level in the Mountain West Conference. The Falcons battle
which is emblematic of service academy football supremacy. The Falcons have
in the MWC against teams from Brigham Young, New Mexico, Colorado State,
won the trophy 16 times, which is more than Army and Navy combined. The
San Diego State, TCU, Wyoming, Utah and UNLV. All sports also compete
winner of the annual rivalry visits the White House to have the trophy presented by the President of the United States. The USAFA Cadet Field House is one of the most impressive buildings in the country. It’s a modern, versatile structure with seemingly endless uses. The $5.6 million building is five stories high and 396 feet by 426 feet, the size of three football fields laid side by side. The structure is divided into three areas-basketball arena, ice hockey arena and multipurpose area. The three sections have a combined seating capacity of more than 9,000. Clune Arena seats 5,834. The Cadet Ice Rink has a seating capacity of 2,470, while the multipurpose area seats 1,000 fans for track and field competitions. The department’s newest facility is the Indoor Training Facility (pictured left), which will be completed in early 2011.
Brad DeAustin Vice Director of Athletics
Col. Billy Walker Deputy AD Head, Physical Education
Jim Trego Senior Associate AD External Affairs
John Coulahan Associate AD Finance
Marti Gasser Associate AD/SWA Intercollegiate Program
William Carpenter Associate AD Recruiting Support
Wayne Kellenbence Associate AD Support
Troy Garnhart Associate AD Info./Communications
Dermot Coll Associate AD Development/Gov’t
Karen Warner Associate AD Human Resources
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2010-11 WOMEN’S TENNIS GUIDE