Air Force Travels to Memphis Invitational
9/7/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 7, 2010
The Air Force volleyball team remains on the road this weekend, traveling to Memphis, Tenn., for the Memphis Tigers Invitational. The Falcons will open the tournament against La Salle on Friday, Sept. 10, at 4 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 11, Air Force will play Tennessee State at 10 a.m., before taking on host school Memphis at 7 p.m.
Match Notes 03: at Memphis Invitational
YOU DON'T LOOK TOO FAMILIAR
Air Force will be facing two first-time opponents this weekend at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The Falcons have never faced Tennessee State or Memphis in volleyball action. La Salle is the only familiar team for the Falcons, as Air Force maintains a 2-0 all-time series lead over the Explorers.
ONE FOR THE AGES
Air Force has only met La Salle on two occasions, the most recent time coming last year in Philadelphia at the Explorers' season-opening tournament. The Falcons trailed 2-0 in the match, before rallying to sweep the next three sets en route to the thrilling 3-2 win. It was the first time since 2006 that Air Force had been down two sets and rallied to win the match.
THAT WAS QUICK
Just six matches into the 2010 season and Caroline Kurtz has already amassed 100 kills. She currently leads the team and the Mountain West Conference with a 4.00 kills-per-set average. Kelly Spencer crossed the 100-dig plateau (104), while both Jessica Hellmann and Josalynn Wise have accounted for more than 100 assists, with totals of 121 and 116, respectively.
AROUND THE MOUNTAIN
After two weeks of action, Caroline Kurtz leads the Mountain West Conference with 4.00 kills-per-set. Fellow senior Kelly Spencer is ranked second with 4.16 digs-per-set and classmate Nichole Stilwell is ranked sixth with a .310 hitting percentage. As a team, Air Force is ranked third in digs (14.40 per set) and fifth in opponent hitting percentage (.207).
PLAYING CLOSE TO HOME
Cami Richan recorded her first collegiate kill against Fresno State, but was playing the neutral-site match at Utah Valley, just minutes from her hometown of Highland, Utah. Richan added to her stat line the following night against the host Wolverines, tallying another kill.
NOT MAKING IT EASY
The Falcons are making their opponents work for their wins. Of the Falcons' five losses, only one has been held to the minimum three games. Three have gone to four sets, while one has gone to five. In fact, the four "non-sweep" losses already mark the second best total for an Air Force team since 2005.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force heads to the East Coast for its final non-conference tournament of the season. The Falcons will travel to Army for the West Point Challenge on Sept. 17-19.
