Falcons Open Homestand with Nevada, San Diego State
9/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 27, 2016
FalconVision Interview with Coach Swindle
The Air Force volleyball team returns to the Academy this week to begin a Mountain West homestand that includes four matches in eight days. The Falcons (9-6, 0-2 MW) begin the first half of their two-week stint in Clune Arena with matches against Nevada (Sept. 29 at 5:00 p.m.) and San Diego State (Oct. 1 at 7:00 p.m.).
Match Notes 06: vs Nevada, vs San Diego State 
FOLLOW ALONG FROM HOME
Both matches will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network. Direct links to the broadcast and live stats can be found on the schedule page at GoAirForceFalcons.com.
COME FOR VOLLEYBALL, STAY FOR BRAD PAISLEY
Following Thursday's match, fans are invited to attend the FREE Brad Paisley concert, located just steps away from Clune Arena at Stillman Field. The opening act (Chase Bryant) goes on at 7:00 p.m., and Brad Paisley is scheduled to take the stage at 8:00 p.m.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY
Due to the Brad Paisley concert at Stillman Field on Thursday night, volleyball fans are encouraged to arrive early to secure parking at the Cadet Field House. The lots will open to concert-goers at 5:00 p.m., so traffic will increase around the Field House at that time.
SCOUTING THE WOLFPACK
Nevada brings a 9-4 record to the Academy and holds a 0-1 mark in Mountain West action. The Wolfpack, which has one Colorado native on its roster in senior Madison Thorpe (Parker, Chaparral HS), opened the conference season with a 3-2 loss to Utah State in their only match of the week. Madison Morrell leads the conference in kills, with a 4.25 average, while the team is ranked second with a.263 hitting percentage.
SCOUTING THE AZTECS
San Diego State, which will face Boise State prior to its meeting with the Falcons, is 9-6 on the year and 1-0 in conference play. Paced by Deja Harris, who leads the Mountain West with a .436 hitting percentage, the Aztecs opened league play with a 3-2 victory over Utah State on Saturday. San Diego State, which also dropped a close non-MW match to seventh-ranked San Diego last week, is ranked among the Mountain West's top-five in assists (fourth, 12.21) and kills (fifth, 13.04).
SERIES HISTORY
Air Force leads the series with Nevada by a 5-4 margin, although the Wolfpack swept the Falcons last season to narrow the all-time gap. San Diego State holds a 34-5 advantage over the Falcons in the series, but Air Force has been victorious in the last three meetings.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
Through the fifth week of the 2016 campaign, three Falcons are listed among the Mountain West leaders. Elizabeth Pennington is ranked fourth in kills (3.97) and fifth in points (4.34), while Abigail Miksch is ranked fifth in kills (3.90) and sixth in points (4.18). In addition, Sarah Hellman is ranked fifth in assists (10.10) and the team is ranked among the top half of the conference in aces (fourth, 1.37) and digs (fourth, 14.02).
BY THE NUMBERS
The Falcons completed the first 15 matches of the season with a 9-6 record -- a tally that includes the third-most wins during that span in Division I history. In addition, it marks just the fourth time since joining DI that Air Force produced a winning record in its first 15 matches.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force concludes its four-match homestand next week, with matches against Boise State (Oct. 4) and Utah State (Oct. 6). Both mid-week contests are slated to begin at 6:00 p.m.
