Volleyball Opens 2017 Season at Bobcat Classic
8/22/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Air Force volleyball team opens the 2017 season this weekend, as it travels to Bozeman, Mont., for the Bobcat Classic at Montana State. The two-day tournament, which begins on Friday (Aug. 25) at Shroyer Gymnasium, also features Gonzaga and Illinois. The Falcons open play at 12:00 p.m., when they face tournament host Montana State for the third year in a row.
Match Notes 01: at Montana State Bobcat Classic 
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Aug. 25: Illinois vs Gonzaga – 10:00 a.m.
Aug. 25: Air Force vs Montana State – 12:00 p.m.
Aug. 25: Air Force vs Gonzaga – 5:00 p.m.
Aug. 25: Illinois vs Montana State – 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 26: Air Force vs Illinois – 10:30 a.m.
Aug. 26: Gonzaga vs Montana State – 7:00 p.m.
FOLLOW ALONG FROM HOME
Montana State is slated to have live stats and video for all tournament matches. Links will be found on the Falcons' schedule page.
AIR FORCE IN SEASON OPENERS
The Falcons hold a 23-18 all-time record in the first match of a new season.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
This is the first weekend of the season for all three of the Falcons' opponents. Air Force holds a 2-1 all-time record against Montana State, which finished the 2016 campaign with a 5-20 record. The Falcons have never faced Gonzaga or Illinois, which both tallied 17 victories last year (17-11 for the Zags, 17-14 for the Illini).
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
The Falcons added 10 freshmen – Andi Ahlers, Jordan Daniels, Brynn Feighery, Cambria Galloway, Alex King, Kathleen Medill, Kelly Motes, Mackenzie Robertson, Brynn Sulte, Erin Zimmerman – to their roster for the 2017 season.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Falcons will host 13 matches at the Academy's newly-renovated Cadet East Gym this season, including the Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic (Sept. 8-9) and nine conference contests.
FALCONS PICKED 11TH IN PRESEASON POLL
Air Force was picked 11th in the annual Mountain West Preseason Coaches' Poll.
ON THE SIDELINES
Air Force's 2017 squad is under the direction of second-year head coach Marc Swindle, who became the program's first Division I head coach to collect a double-digit win total in their debut season (10-21). Swindle will be joined on the sideline by Keith Barnett, Elysse Richardson and volunteer coach Seth Edick.
RECORD BOOK NOW AVAILABLE
The 2017 Air Force Volleyball Record Book is now available online at GoAirForceFalcons.com.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force heads to the East Coast next week for four contests in as many days. Air Force will travel to Navy on Aug. 30, before facing Army West Point, Columbia and The Citadel at the Service Academy Challenge in Washington D.C., on Sept. 1-2.
