Anonymous | Posted: 16 Jan 2002 | Updated: 16 Jan 2002

Cougars Face Falcons in First Regular Season Action

PROVO -- The BYU women's tennis team looks to extend its Mountain West Conference unbeaten streak and start the season off right when it takes on the Air Force Falcons Saturday at 3 p.m. BYU hosts the Falcons at the BYU Indoor Courts in a match originally scheduled for March 29.

The Cougars went undefeated in MWC play last season and took home the MWC Championship. Head coach Craig Manning was named MWC Coach of the Year and led BYU to the title. He is optimistic about this season and this match.

"We have a few struggles as a team right now," Manning said. "If we can get our team together, we should be OK."

BYU defeated Air Force last season 7-0. The Falcons finished the season 1-6 in conference play with their lone win coming against Wyoming. Manning knows this year's Falcons, led by senior Brooke Parsons, are going to play with a lot of heart against the Cougars.

"Air Force is getting better every year," Manning said. "They're becoming a very competitive team."

The Cougars have been out of action since playing in early November when they took part in the Duck Classic Tournament in Oregon as part of their fall season schedule. Saturday's match will be the first of eight home matches this year.