Air Force Academy
Army West Point
Falcons Sweep Army West Point
9/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Army West Point Box Score | Columbia Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Air Force volleyball team posted its first victory over Army West Point in more than a decade, as it swept the Black Knights during the opening day of action at the Service Academy Challenge in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Sept. 1. The Falcons claimed a 25-20, 25-20, 25-22 victory over their counterparts from Army, before suffering a 23-25, 25-12, 25-18, 24-26, 5-15 loss to Columbia.
Sophomore Denise Ssozi led all players with 17 kills during the Falcons' win, as she (.375, 17k-5e-32a) and junior Abigail Miksch (.385, 7k-2e-13a) helped Air Force hit .296 (35k-14e-71a) in the match. Senior Piper Heineck led all players in service aces (three) and blocks (two, both solo stops), while juniors Shanleigh Conlan and Sarah Hellman led the team in assists (29) and digs (eight), respectively.
The victory was the program's first over Army since 2004, snapping a six-match skid to their service academy counterparts. The win also marked the Falcons' first sweep in the series since the 2000 season.
"I think that was a historic win," head coach Marc Swindle said following his first victory in a service academy matchup. "We haven't beaten Army since I've been here and coming off a rough loss at Navy. But (the players) had a meeting and decided to come out like they did today. I couldn't be more proud."
Ssozi added another 17 kills in the nightcap, as she and Heineck (13) combined for 30 kills.The Falcons' lone senior, who hit at team-high clip of .474 (13k-4e-19a), added a season-high six blocks, with one solo and five assisted stops. Conlan accounted for 44 assists, while Hellman recorded 15 digs. As a team, the Falcons combined for 11 service aces. Scoring on three straight serves, Ssozi tied for the match lead with four aces. Freshman Jordan Daniels recorded three aces, while Heineck and Conlan each tallied two.
The Falcons close out action at the Service Academy Challenge tomorrow (Sept. 2), when they face The Citadel at 10:30 a.m. (ET).
