Underclassmen Lead Air Force to Season Opening Victory

Aug. 24, 2007

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. - Freshman Nichole Stilwell and sophomore Katie Batchelder combined for 23 kills as the Air Force volleyball team defeated Chicago State, 3-0, in the season opener on Friday, Aug. 24, in the second game of the Air force Invitational. The Falcons downed the Cougars 30-27, 30-19, 30-23 in straight sets.

Stilwell, who continued an Air Force tradition of being a freshman in the starting rotation, shined in her collegiate debut. Stilwell led the squad with 12 kills. Batchelder, last year's Rookie of the Year, accounted for 11 kills and eight digs.

Sophomore Michelle Harrington, who connected on eight of 13 attempts while committing no errors, led all participants with a .615 hitting percentage. Harrington also put down a match-best four service aces and four assisted blocks.

The upperclassmen were not left out of the balanced attack. Primary setter senior Kim Kallabis nearly doubled her CSU counterpart with 42 assists, while senior Morgan Dolan led the team with nine digs in just two games at the libero position.

For the match, the Falcons hit .231. That total was comprised of all three sets accounting for a better than .210 average.

The Falcons continue action tomorrow (Aug. 25) at the Air Force Invitational with a pair of matches. Air Force will take on Portland State at 11:30 a.m., before concluding the day with Bucknell at 7 p.m.

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