Air Force Academy
Wyoming
Air Force Falls to Wyoming, 3-2
11/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 8, 2002
The Air Force volleyball team suffered a disappointing conference loss on the road, falling in five games to Wyoming, 23-30, 30-25, 30-22, 26-30, 13-15. The Falcons looked to be in control, winning two of the first three games, but the Cowgirls battled back to win the final two games, including an exciting game five. It was their second five-game loss on the year.
Four Falcons finished the match in double figures in kills. For the second match in a row, freshman Kristin Hamlett led Air Force in hitting. Hamlett notched 18 kills on 28 attacks with four errors for a .500 hitting percentage. Brittany Edmonds notched a season-high 13 kills. It was her first double-figure kill output of the year. Lamecca Jefferson added 14 kills and Tiffany Bishop had 16. Jaime Beatty had 16 digs and setter Kristin Huitt had a career-high 63 assists. The Falcons notched a .285 hitting percentage (71k-26e-158a) and had four team blocks.
The Falcons got off to a slow start, falling behind 6-1 in game one. They played virtually even with Wyoming throughout the remainder of the game, but the team couldn't overcome the early deficit, eventually falling 30-23. They hit just .062 in game one, with 13 kills and 11 errors.
Game two was much kinder to the Falcons. They took a 7-6 lead - their first lead of the match. They gradually extended their lead to as much as six points, but the Cowgirls wouldn't quit. Trailing by six late, Wyoming rallied to pull to within two, 25-23. After a timeout, Air Force would score the next three points and would eventually win 30-25. Their hitting percentage improved dramatically to .225, as they had 14 kills and just five errors on 40 attacks.
Game three looked to be close, as the teams exchanged points throughout the first part of the game, with neither team taking more than a two-point lead. Air Force then took control midway through the game, using run to take an 18-11 run. Air Force never trailed again, winning the game 30-22. They notched a .522 hitting percentage (19k-3e-30a) in the game, the highest single-game percentage of the season.
Wyoming looked to take the match the distance, taking a commanding five-point lead (20-15) late in game four. Air Force battle back, winning five of the next six points to tie the score at 21 apiece. The Cowgirls would win six of the next eight points to take a 27-23 lead, and they would never look back, winning game four 30-26.
Game five was a see-saw battle, with no team leading by more than two points throughout the game. When the teams changed sides, Air Force was clinging to an 8-7 lead, but Wyoming won the next point. The teams continued to trade points until a service error game the Cowgirls a 13-12 lead. Wyoming would win the next point. Air Force would fight off one match-point, but would lose the next and drop the game 15-13.
The Falcons (8-18, 2-9 MWC) are 1-13 on the road this season and have lost their last five road matches and their last eight overall. They will be back in action on Nov. 9, when they travel to Fort Collins to take on Colorado State in a conference match. The Falcons are 1-16 all-time against the Rams.
