Air Force Set to Co-Host Thin Air Challenge

The Air Force volleyball team returns to Colorado this weekend to co-host the Thin Air Challenge with Denver. The Falcons and Pioneers kick off the tournament against one another in Denver on Sept. 9, before Air Force welcomes Idaho and Cal State Fullerton to the Cadet East Gym to begin the home portion of its 2021 schedule on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11, respectively.

MEET INFORMATION
The Thin Air Challenge is the first of two tournaments that Air Force will co-host with Denver this month. Although Air Force will play the majority of its contests at the Academy, the Falcons open the tournament against the Pioneers at Denver's Hamilton Gym. Live broadcasts will be available for all three matches – both home matches will be broadcast free on the Mountain West Network with Jason Carter and George Egan on the call, while Denver's match will be streamed via DenverPioneers.com (subscription required). Video and stat links can be found below.

MATCH 07 | SEPT 9 | 6:00 PM MT
Air Force at Denver
Thin Air Challenge | Denver, Colo.
Watch Live ($) | Live Stats

MATCH 08 | SEPT 10 | 6:00 PM MT
Air Force vs Idaho
Thin Air Challenge | USAFA
Watch Live | Live Stats

MATCH 09 | SEPT 11 | 1:00 PM MT
Air Force vs Cal State Fullerton
Thin Air Challenge | USAFA
Watch Live | Live Stats

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Denver, who was receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches Poll up until this week, is 5-1 on the short season after going 2-1 during last week's home invitational against Northern Colorado (0-3 loss), Northeastern (3-0 win) and Mercer (3-0 win). Idaho, which will face Cal State Fullerton in Denver on Friday morning, is 2-4 on the year, following a 1-2 weekend at the Robert Morris Labor Day Volleyball Classic – 0-3 loss to Duquesne, 3-1 win over Robert Morris, 1-3 loss to Liberty. Cal State Fullerton, which will face both Idaho and Denver on Friday, split the Southeastern Showdown (0-3 loss to Auburn, 3-1 win over Southeastern Louisiana) to remain at .500 on the year (2-2).

HISTORY 101
Air Force has faced its I-25 counterparts 49 times since 1983 and holds a 36-13 advantage in the all-time series, but the Pioneers have edged the Falcons by an 8-6 mark at the Division I level. Air Force, which upset Denver (3-1) at the Academy during the two teams' last meeting in 2019, is 2-5 on Denver's home court at the DI level. While the Falcons have a long history with Denver, they have played Cal State Fullerton just once … and have never faced Idaho. Air Force is 1-0 against the Titans, having claimed a 3-1 victory at the Quality Inn-Placentia Fullerton Classic in 2016.

RUSS NAMED TO ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Mac Russ was named to the all-tournament team of the Gonzaga Invitational following a strong weekend of play. She tallied a career-high eight kills during two of the three matches, while also accounting for personal-best marks in hitting (.462, vs Oklahoma), solo blocks (one, at Gonzaga), assisted blocks (three, vs Oklahoma), digs (three, vs Oklahoma) and points (9.5, twice – last at Gonzaga).

WELCOME BACK!
Fans are invited back to Air Force Volleyball matches this fall, but current Defense Department and Air Force Academy rules require all individuals to wear a mask inside Academy facilities. All individuals who have not been fully vaccinated must wear masks outside on military installations.

WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force remains at the Academy next weekend to host Iowa (Sept. 17) and Incarnate Word (Sept. 18) at the Mile High Invitational.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Mac Russ

Footer