Falcons Remain Home for Two Mountain West Matches
10/21/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Air Force volleyball team remains at the Academy this week for a pair of Mountain West matches. The Falcons will host San Jose State during their annual Pink Match on Thursday, Oct. 23, before welcoming Nevada to Cadet East Gym on Saturday, Oct. 25. Thursday's contest is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m., while Saturday's match is scheduled to get underway at 2:00 p.m.
Match Notes 09: vs San Jose State, vs Nevada 
OPPONENT PREVIEW: SAN JOSE STATE
San Jose State, which is currently 3-17 on the season, is still searching for its first conference win (0-7) and coming off of a winless homestand last weekend, falling to UNLV (0-3) and San Diego State (0-3). The Spartans are led by Tyanna Roy, who averages 3.28 kills per-set, and Yavianliz Rosado, who holds a 3.90 digs per-set average. Although Air Force is 2-4 all-time against the Spartans, the Falcons have won their last two meeting with San Jose State, including a thrilling 25-18, 34-32, 30-32, 25-16 victory earlier this season on the road.
PINK OUT!
The Falcons will be hosting their annual Pink Match on Thursday (Oct. 23) when San Jose State visits the Academy's East Gym.
OPPONENT PREVIEW: NEVADA
Nevada improved to 2-5 in the conference (5-12 overall) after splitting a homestand with San Diego State (3-1) and UNLV (0-3) last weekend. The Wolfpack, who will face New Mexico on Thursday night, is backed by Tessa Lea'ea, who leads the team in both kills (2.98) and blocks (1.10). In addition, Nevada leads the Mountain West in service aces during all matches, both in the team (1.58) and individual (Sam Willoughby, 0.40) rankings. Air Force is 4-2 all-time against the Wolfpack, including a come-from-behind five-set road victory in late September.
FOLLOW ALONG FROM HOME
Both matches will be streamed live on GoAirForceFalcons.com, and live stats will also be available through the site.
MAKING A NAME AMONG NATION'S BEST
With 936 total assists, Hillary Keltner is ranked ninth in the nation, according to the Oct. 20 release of NCAA stats. She is also listed 29th in assists-per-set, with an 11.01 average, while the team is listed 11th in total assists (1094).
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
In Mountain West matches, three Falcons are ranked among the conference's top-five, while the team holds one top-three ranking. Individually, Hillary Keltner and Rebecca Bates are ranked third in assists (11.01) and digs (4.15), respectively, while Akokwe Clement is ranked fifth in kills (3.36). As a team, Air Force is ranked third in assists with a 12.87 average.
HITTING THE MILESTONES
Akokwe Clement recorded the 900th kill of her career against Colorado State on Oct. 17, while Rebecca Bates notched her 800th career dig against Wyoming on Oct. 16. In addition, Taylor Parker (assisted blocks) and Emma Dridge (digs) each made their respective debuts in the program's Division I career record book against the Rams.
WHAT'S ON DECK
After two weeks at home, the Falcons head back out on the road next week for conference matches at Utah State (Oct. 30) and at Boise State (Nov. 1). Thursday's match in Logan, Utah, is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m., while Saturday's contest in Boise is scheduled to get underway at 2:00 p.m.
