Friday, August 30
Washington, D.C.
8:00a.m. MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Navy
Photo by: Josh Armstrong
Volleyball Opens Season at Service Academy Challenge
8/28/2019 10:35:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Falcons will face Navy, UConn and Gonzaga during the first tournament of the 2019 campaign.
The Air Force volleyball team kicks off the 2019 season this weekend, as it travels to Washington, D.C., to host the bi-annual Service Academy Challenge. The two-day tournament, which will take place inside the Pentagon Athletic Center, begins for the Falcons on Friday, Aug. 30, when they host service academy rival Navy at 10:00 a.m. (ET).
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Aug. 30: Air Force vs Navy – 10:00 a.m.
Aug. 30: Gonzaga vs UConn – 12:30 p.m.
Aug. 30: UConn vs Air Force – 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 30: Navy vs Gonzaga – 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 31: UConn vs Navy – 10:00 a.m.
Aug. 31: Air Force vs Gonzaga – 12:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE SERVICE ACADEMY CHALLENGE
There will be no stats or video for any match at the Service Academy Challenge and, due to security restrictions at the venue, all spectators have already been selected and screened.
AIR FORCE IN SEASON OPENERS
The Falcons hold a 24-19 all-time record in the first match of a new season (11-12 at the Division I level).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
This is the first week of the season for all three of the Falcons' upcoming opponents. Navy finished the 2018 campaign with a 23-9 record, while UConn finished 15-16 and Gonzaga went 11-18.
SERIES HISTORY
Looking to snap a 0-2 skid against its service academy rival, Air Force is 12-3 all-time against Navy (1-0 at a neutral venue). The Falcons, who have never faced UConn, are 1-0 against Gonzaga, having earned a neutral site victory in Montana during the opening weekend of the 2017 season.
RECORD BOOK WATCH
Entering the 2019 season, Denise Ssozi is ranked 10th on the program's Division I career list in both kills (904) and points (1032.5), while Andi Ahlers holds the same placement in assists (907).
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
The Falcons added four freshmen – Taleah Cooper, Mackenzie Kummer, Sarah Markwardt and BrookeLyn Messenger – to their roster for the 2019 season.
FALCONS PICKED NINTH IN PRESEASON POLL
Air Force was listed ninth in the annual Mountain West Preseason Coaches' Poll, tallying 28 points. The No. 9 placement marks just the fifth time in 20 years that Air Force hasn't been picked to finish last in the conference. It is also the third-highest preseason ranking in program history (seventh in 2015, eighth in 2018), while the Falcons' 28 points is tied for the squad's fourth-highest total (41 in 2015, 31 in 2014, 31 in 2018, 28 in 2004).
ON THE SIDELINES
Air Force's 2019 squad is under the direction of Keith Barnett, who took over the head coaching position in December after spending four seasons as an assistant coach/associate head coach. Barnett will be joined on the sideline by first-year assistant Tom Hunter, fourth-year assistant Elysse Richardson and second-year volunteer Kim Haas.
RECORD BOOK NOW AVAILABLE
The 2019 Air Force Volleyball record book is available online at GoAirForceFalcons.com.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force travels to Tulsa, Okla., next weekend (Sept. 6-7) to face Little Rock, Illinois State and Oral Roberts at the ORU Invitational.
COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Aug. 30: Air Force vs Navy – 10:00 a.m.
Aug. 30: Gonzaga vs UConn – 12:30 p.m.
Aug. 30: UConn vs Air Force – 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 30: Navy vs Gonzaga – 7:00 p.m.
Aug. 31: UConn vs Navy – 10:00 a.m.
Aug. 31: Air Force vs Gonzaga – 12:30 p.m.
ABOUT THE SERVICE ACADEMY CHALLENGE
There will be no stats or video for any match at the Service Academy Challenge and, due to security restrictions at the venue, all spectators have already been selected and screened.
AIR FORCE IN SEASON OPENERS
The Falcons hold a 24-19 all-time record in the first match of a new season (11-12 at the Division I level).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
This is the first week of the season for all three of the Falcons' upcoming opponents. Navy finished the 2018 campaign with a 23-9 record, while UConn finished 15-16 and Gonzaga went 11-18.
SERIES HISTORY
Looking to snap a 0-2 skid against its service academy rival, Air Force is 12-3 all-time against Navy (1-0 at a neutral venue). The Falcons, who have never faced UConn, are 1-0 against Gonzaga, having earned a neutral site victory in Montana during the opening weekend of the 2017 season.
RECORD BOOK WATCH
Entering the 2019 season, Denise Ssozi is ranked 10th on the program's Division I career list in both kills (904) and points (1032.5), while Andi Ahlers holds the same placement in assists (907).
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
The Falcons added four freshmen – Taleah Cooper, Mackenzie Kummer, Sarah Markwardt and BrookeLyn Messenger – to their roster for the 2019 season.
FALCONS PICKED NINTH IN PRESEASON POLL
Air Force was listed ninth in the annual Mountain West Preseason Coaches' Poll, tallying 28 points. The No. 9 placement marks just the fifth time in 20 years that Air Force hasn't been picked to finish last in the conference. It is also the third-highest preseason ranking in program history (seventh in 2015, eighth in 2018), while the Falcons' 28 points is tied for the squad's fourth-highest total (41 in 2015, 31 in 2014, 31 in 2018, 28 in 2004).
ON THE SIDELINES
Air Force's 2019 squad is under the direction of Keith Barnett, who took over the head coaching position in December after spending four seasons as an assistant coach/associate head coach. Barnett will be joined on the sideline by first-year assistant Tom Hunter, fourth-year assistant Elysse Richardson and second-year volunteer Kim Haas.
RECORD BOOK NOW AVAILABLE
The 2019 Air Force Volleyball record book is available online at GoAirForceFalcons.com.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force travels to Tulsa, Okla., next weekend (Sept. 6-7) to face Little Rock, Illinois State and Oral Roberts at the ORU Invitational.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
RS/MH
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OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
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