Falcons Head West for Two Conference Matches
10/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
FalconVision: Coach McShane's Weekly Interview
After a quick stop at the Academy last week, the Air Force volleyball team heads back out on the road for another three-match stretch. The Falcons (9-13, 2-5 MW) open this stretch of the season at San Diego State on Thursday, Oct. 22, before heading to Nevada on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Match Notes 09: at San Diego State, at Nevada 
FOLLOW ALONG FROM HOME
Live stats and video will be available.
SCOUTING THE AZTECS
San Diego State, which will face the University of San Diego on Tuesday night in a non-MW contest, is currently 6-14 on the year and 3-5 in the conference. The Aztecs split last week's matches at Peterson Gym, sweeping Utah State and dropping a narrow 3-2 contest to Boise State that saw all five sets decided by two points. Alexandra Psoma leads the SDSU offense with 2.51 kills per set, while Deja Harris and Baylee Little each average at least 2.25 kills. Harris holds the Aztecs' lead in blocks, as she averages nearly one blocks (0.97) a set.
SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK
Nevada, which is currently 8-12 on the year and 3-5 in the conference, posted a 1-1 record during last week's home matches. The Wolfpack dropped a 3-1 contest to Boise State on Thursday, before sweeping Utah State on Saturday. Nevada is led by the duo of Madison Morell and Madison Foley, who both average more than three kills a set. The Wolfpack lead the Mountain West in aces (1.62), while Morell is ranked first (0.48) and Foley is listed fourth (0.37). Nevada will host New Mexico prior its match with Air Force.
SERIES HISTORY
Although Air Force has claimed the last two victories over San Diego State, the Aztecs hold a commanding 34-4 lead in the all-time series between the two schools and are 18-0 in San Diego. Despite a 3-2 setback against Nevada to open the 2015 conference slate, the Falcons maintain a 5-3 lead over the Wolfpack and are 2-1 in Reno.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Akokwe Clement is ranked second in the Mountain West in both kills (3.70) and points (4.24), while Rachael Bradley Powers is ranked third in aces (0.38) and Taylor Parker is listed fourth in hitting (.353). As a team, the Falcons are ranked fourth in kills (12.61) and assists (11.70) and fifth in hitting (.212), aces (1.30) and blocks (2.09).
RECORD BOOK WATCH
Akokwe Clement is ranked second on the program's Division I career list for kills (1328) and eighth on the Academy's all-time list in that category. Maggie Sherrill is ranked sixth in DI career kills (959), while Rebecca Bates and Rachael Bradley Powers are both listed on a pair of DI career lists. Bates is currently ranked second in digs (1188) and 10th in service aces (74), while Bradley Powers is listed eighth in both digs (809) and aces (75).
THE 500 CLUB
Sarah Hellman recorded her 500th career assist against Fresno State on Oct. 17 ... and promptly debuted in 10th on the program's Division I career list for that category.
LET'S HAVE A BLOCK PARTY
Three Falcons have impacted the Academy's Division I blocking categories this season. Taylor Parker and Raquel Rosas, who became just the fifth and sixth players in DI history to surpass 200 assisted blocks, are ranked third (217) and sixth (203), respectively, in that category. Parker is also ranked fourth in total blocks (249) and eighth in solo stops (32), while Rosas is listed sixth in all blocks (231) and ninth in solos (28). Akokwe Clement, who debuted on all three lists this year, is currently ranked ninth in assisted blocks (154) and total blocks (179), while tying for 10th in solo blocks (25).
PARTY LIKE ITS 1999
Air Force's victory over UNLV on Oct. 15 marked the Falcons' first win over the Rebels since Oct. 23, 1999 -- a span of 31 contests.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force opens the week on the road, traveling to Albuquerque to face conference travel partner New Mexico on Tuesday, Oct. 27, but returns to the Academy on Saturday, Oct. 31, to host San Jose State at Cadet East Gym.
